I believe that ‘Love for food’ is beyond culture,region or language. Today on this series we have Linda – woman behind this wonderful blog LaPetitePanière which is popular among readers from all over the world. Her instagram feed is such a feast to your eyes. Have been a silent admirer of her account for the past two years. Everytime when she uploads a picture of bread/pie/cookie, I used to wonder how can someone achieve such perfection.
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1. A little about yourself Linda
My name is Linda, and I’m from Algiers, the capital city of Algeria, a beautiful city located on the Mediterranean Sea. I’m part of a nomadic family, which currently lives in Dubai for the past 10 years. I grew up between Algiers and Paris, and come from a family, which really values and enjoys sitting around a table and eating together.
Our cuisine has been heavily influenced by different cultures, including Spanish, Moorish, Italian, Maltese, Turkish and French. The smells of my grandmother’s kitchen mixed with the fragrance of herbs, and flowers from her garden, through the windows, still remain engraved in my memory, and serve as a great source of inspiration in my cooking.
2. Were you a foodie since childhood? Who is the inspiration in your family?
I fell into the cooking pot a long time ago!
For many years, I was neighbor’s with my family (my grandmother, mother and aunts) all living on the same street. This meant I was spoilt with choice in terms of where to eat and what to eat, something I now look back as quite a privilege. But it was my grandmother’s kitchen, which was the family centerpiece, everything made with ultimate passion, and strictly all homemade of course.
3. When did you start your cooking experiments in the kitchen? We all have that one special memory of a dish be it a first successful attempt or first disastrous dish? Whats yours?
My grandmother was the first to introduce me to cooking, at a very young age. Since then, my work has always been about sharing my family’s recipes with others. My first success was my first Kaak (brioche), which got me feeling very proud, and excited! On the other hand, I’ve had many disasters along the way; a notable one was a cake that turned out rock hard (I mean completely unbreakable), I still don’t understand how it happened.
4. How and when did ‘La Petite Panière’ happened? Such a unique name for a blog?
5. Which aspect in the blogging you love the most? Is it creating a new recipe or photographing the end product or interacting with people around the world?
I honestly love everything about the blogging experience; experimenting with new recipes, taking pictures (we certainly eat with our eyes first), and getting to meet people from every continent with the same passion and love for food.
6. You have a beautiful collection of recipes from different cuisines and regions. What is your source of learning?
7. Blogging religiously needs great effort and passion. What is that one driving factor which keeps you motivated?
I have the chance to cook every day for my family, and out of all those dishes, I pick one to post each week. I try alternating between sweet or salty recipes, but I think the ultimate decision belongs to my mood, the flavors of the season, and most probably my family’s choice too. I’ve grown to love the process of taking the pictures, which usually involves me running with very hot dishes around the house, trying to find the best corners with light.
8. Your baked goodies attracts me the most in your Instagram feed. Be it a tart or biscuits or braided bread, they all look perfect & delicious. What according to you is the most important thing to keep in mind while baking?
I find the ingredients the most important. Having a great quality of flour and fresh yeast makes a big difference. Also, finding the perfect measurements for you, and experimenting with new flavors is important too. Tarts (one of my favorite dishes to cook), are so versatile, and have can have thousands of combinations, all depending on which ingredients you choose.
9. Also I love the way how your pictures are clean, simple but yet very attractive. What are your top 3 tips for food photography?
Always remember that natural lighting is your best friend! If possible, try to always shoot when the sun is out, and avoid using flash photography as much as possible. Regarding accessories (plating/napkins), I always try and keep it as simple as possible, keeping the focus on the food. In doing so, I use colors that complement the color of the dish, which won’t attract focus.
10. What is your family’s favorite recipe that they request you often to make?
My rosemary and mustard roasted lamb with herbes de Provence baked potatoes is definitely a family favorite.
11. Who do you look up to as an inspiration in this culinary field? It could a professional chef or any of fellow bloggers?
I don’t have a single favorite chef, as I really believe they each except in different ways. I do have a regret that there are more male chefs than female, but I’m happy to see thing’s are progressively changing.
12. Your favorite eat out spots in Dubai
Glad to know more about you Linda. Keep Inspiring!! Looking forward to learn a lot from you 🙂
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Her Instagram Feed :
@lapetitepaniere ⢠Instagram photos and videos
instagram.com
La Petite Panière
lapetitepaniere.com
