Chatting With Claire Thomas of The Kitchy Kitchen

Photo: The Kitchy Kitchen/Facebook

We’ve had a blast learning about our Blogger of the Week, Claire Thomas of The Kitchy Kitchen, and—let’s be honest—drooling over her gorgeous recipes. Her butternut squash soufflé, cauliflower gratin, and Brussels sprouts Caesar salad are most certainly destined for our Thanksgiving table. (And perhaps a few of yours, as well?)

Before we bid adieu to Thomas, we have a few last questions for her. Below, Thomas dishes on her culinary “Eureka!” moment, the oddest flavor combo she absolutely adores, and what she’d order for dinner on her last night on Earth.

Here goes:

Let’s start easy. What’s your favorite food?
Impossible to answer, but my dad’s French fries are top tier.

Go-to kitchen utensil:
My chef’s knife is by far the most useful and versatile tool, but for extras I love Silpats (nothing sticks to them!) and my food processor.

Most under-appreciated ingredient, in your opinion:
Vinegar. It’s such a necessary layer—it gives food zip and an edge, plus a depth beyond what salt can do.

Oddest flavor combo you love:
Peaches and pork. I love fruit in a savory context; they add a really interesting edge, and the peaches have an awesome acidity that cuts through the pork. I even make BLPs (bacon, peach, lettuce) sandwiches.

Kitchen “sin” for which you won’t apologize:
Oh boy…so many. Number one is not sifting. I usually whisk my ingredients. Number two is lack of patience. I always get antsy and rush things.

Essential cookbook:
The Joy of Cooking, duh!

Culinary “eureka!” moment:
Brown butter. Once I tried it, I couldn’t stop putting it in and on everything.

Splurgiest kitchen purchase:
Definitely my Heath Ceramics tabletop items. Being a food photographer means that I have dozens of single plates, but no sets… I’m pretty sure I own one plate in every glaze from Heath.

You’re about to bite the big one. What’s your last supper?
Depends on my mood. Probably an amazing dry-aged ribeye, cooked medium rare on a charcoal grill with tons of maitre’d butter; my dad’s fries; devil’s food cake with marshmallow frosting; and a lot of whiskey.

Proudest food moment:
When I decided to wear real pants in the kitchen instead of sweatpants today. Just kidding! Seeing my cookbook published after two years of hard work.

Toughest dish you’ve mastered:
Pavlova.

Kitchen skill you want to learn:
Better knife skills.

Best thing your parents taught you about food:
To love it!

Ice cream or gelato?
Ice cream, because I can eat more of it.

Caramel or hot fudge?
Why not both?

Hamburger or hot dog?
ARGH! The Au Cheval burger [in Chicago] and [my] 2 AM bacon-wrapped street dog with jalapeños and onions in a thunderdome match.

Vanilla or chocolate?
Chocolate. Always chocolate.

More stories about Claire Thomas:
The Kitchy Kitchen’s Butternut Squash Soufflé Recipe
The Kitchy Kitchen’s Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad
The Kitchy Kitchen’s Cauliflower Gratin Recipe
Blogger of the Week: Claire Thomas of The Kitchy Kitchen

Who are your favorite food bloggers? Let us know below!