The Tastemaker Top 10 with Jenny of Honey and Birch

The Tastemaker Top 10 is a collection of 10 questions asked by me and answered by some of my favorite bloggers. Here they will tell you a little bit about themselves, their blogs, and of course, their favorite foods and restaurants. On the blog today, we've got Jenny from Honey and Birch. Over and Honey and Birch, Jenny features tons of great recipes with beautiful photos to accompany them. And I love hosting other Chicago area food bloggers here-- plus Jenny's take on fresh ingredients is right up my alley (as is her answer to #2)! Meet Jenny...

Name: Jenny Bullistron

Blog: Honey and Birch

Location: Chicago, IL

In a few sentences, tell us a little bit about your blog. Honey and Birch is a lifestyle blog focusing on recipes and food with the occasional DIY project and craft. I like to make food from scratch and try not to use pre-made ingredients so you'll find lots of homemade salad dressings, condiments and spice blends mixed in with baked goods, slow cooker dishes and appetizers.


Now, tell us about your...

1. Favorite meal, food, or cuisine: I love spicy food so Mexican cuisine is top on my list.

2. Least favorite meal, food, or cuisine: I strongly dislike clams and oysters - I can't get over the texture.

3. Favorite restaurant in your city: Uncommon Ground on Clark.

4. Favorite food memory: Watching my grandma cook.  She would never allow us to write down her recipes - instead she wanted us to learn the recipes by watching her.  My memories of her inspire me to cook more each day.
 
5. Favorite guilty pleasure food: Doritos. I have to refrain from buying them because I can't stop eating them once I open up a bag. 
 
6. Favorite ingredient (something you love to cook with, or something you see on a menu and know you have to order): Arugula/rocket. It's a great addition to pizzas, breakfast sandwiches and just about everything else.

7. Favorite kitchen tool, utensil, product, etc.: My KitchenAid mixer is my most beloved kitchen tool.

8. Favorite recipe: Duck fat chocolate chip cookies.  A guilty pleasure - once I start eating them, I can't stop.

9. Favorite thing about blogging: Meeting new friends. Blogging has brought me in contact with people who enjoy the same things as me - writing, eating and taking photos.

10. Five favorite blogs/blogs that A Squared readers should know about:
Local Milk - http://localmilkblog.com/
Solid Gold Eats - http://solidgoldeats.com/
Dad Cooks Dinner - http://dadcooksdinner.com/
Seasonal and Savory - http://www.seasonalandsavory.com/
Love Bakes Good Cakes - http://www.lovebakesgoodcakes.com

Thanks so much for your thoughts, Jenny!

Do you have a blogger that you'd recommend to be featured on the Tastemaker Top 10? Or are you a blogger that would like to participate? Email me at aasquaredblog@gmail.com and let me know!