Blogger Spotlight: Spache The Spatula

Rachael Pack|Oct. 3, 2016 3:06 pm EST

This week we catch up with Spachael — I mean Rachael — Dart, the mastermind behind Spache the Spatula food blog.

Although not professionally trained, she creates some beautiful food, and it is quite clear that she is passionate about her projects. Check out her blog (especially if you are egg- and/or dairy-free!) and enjoy her honest prose, sweet recipes, and pretty food pictures.

Without further ado, meet The Daily Meal's CCN food blogger Rachael Dart:

The Daily Meal: What would you say is the mission of your blog?

Rachael Dart: My own personal mission is to teach others how easy it is to just get in your kitchen and learn to cook great food. I don't have any professional experience, and my blog has been a learning experience for me and my readers!

How'd you get started with Spache the Spatula?

I started cooking and creating recipes as a way to destress from going to college and working full time. I was overwhelmed by the amazingly fresh ingredients I had access to out here in the Pacific Northwest and began looking up recipes online. This, of course, led to a massive obsession with food blogs. At the end of 2009, I finally decided to start one of my own in order to keep track of all of the recipes that I tried out and created.

What are some foods you can't live without?

I have an unreal obsession with both avocados and hummus. I eat both almost daily!

Are there any foods you can't stand?

I absolutely LOATHE raw celery — like it's to the point that my friends find it hysterical how worked up I get about it. I really don't know what it is, but I find it completely and utterly, unpalatably bitter.

What is your proudest post on Spache the Spatula?

My proudest post (at the moment) is probably my Vegan Lavender Pavlova With Mixed Berries for a couple reasons: 1) I cannot believe that essentially bean water (aquafaba) can simulate eggs in a meringue so convincingly, and 2) I'm having a really fun time proving to myself (and hopefully others in the process) that I am able to make all the same recipes just as well as I did before I removed dairy and eggs from my diet!

What is your biggest blog blunder?

I have enough that I make entire posts dedicated to my "Recipe Fails"! (Volume 1 and Volume 2)

What's on your cooking playlist?

The Eagles are a go-to if I'm making anything beachy, but my playlists get pretty eclectic in the kitchen... Everything from Sam Hunt to Tupac, haha!

What are some other blogs you love?

I am so obsessed with Hot for Food right now! They also have an amazing Youtube channel where they film recipes.

What are some food apps you love?

The Foodgawker app and the Yelp app get used almost daily! But a maybe lesser-known food app that I love is called Foodie and it's for taking photos of food. Not only does it have great filters and highly customizable settings, but the part I love most is a simple feature that tells you when your photo is directly over top of your plate!

What is the best thing about blogging?

Getting to combine my two passions: writing and food!

The worst thing?

The worst thing is sometimes feeling lost in a seemingly infinite virtual sea of other blogs and content. A year a half ago I wrote a post titled "What I'm Still Learning About Blogging," and while I feel I have grown since writing it, so much of it still rings true for me.

Is there a recipe you're currently obsessed with?

What I like to call "1-minute Guac." It's half an avocado mixed with salt and fresh salsa to taste. It's so stupid easy, but I can't get enough!

What would even your most loyal followers be surprised to learn about you?

I think it surprises most people I talk to that I've never been outside of North America! I hope to change that soon, so that I can eat my way around the world.

What are five of your all-time favorite posts?

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