Blogger Spotlight: Feed Me I'm Hungry
This week, we're proud to feature Michelle Sandstrom of Feed Me I'm Hungry in the Blogger Spotlight. For those new to the column, every Friday, we highlight a member of The Daily Meal's Culinary Content Network, a limited group of bloggers who write about food and drink.
We look to this group of talented food writers for inspiration and participation in The Daily Meal, whether for restaurant recommendations or new recipes to try out for dinner. Our editorial team covers All Things Food and Drink, and we tap the CCN to keep up to speed on what is happening around the country and the world — from fine dining to home cooking.
In addition to blogging at and creating Feed Me I'm Hungry, Sandstrom is a freelance food writer who spends her days in the kitchen testing recipes. The recipes featured on her blog are designed for cooks of all skill levels and budgetary constraints.
Michelle is passionate about showing other home cooks that you don't need expensive ingredients or complicated recipes to make a dish shine.
The Daily Meal: What is the mission of your blog?
Michelle Sandstrom: To have fun cooking any and every recipe that catches my fancy. To connect with my readers. To share recipes that make everyday food a little bit special. And every once and a while to tackle some kind of elaborate cooking project, just for the sheer fun of it.
How did you get started with your blog?
A few summers ago I was watch a ton of Food Network on TV, browsing food blogs online, and going right to the food magazine section any time went to the bookstore. I was talking to my husband (pretty much endlessly) about new recipes I wanted to try. I finally decided since I was thinking and talking about food so much, it might make sense to start a food blog and start connecting with other likeminded people. I also happened to be an OK photographer and fairly computer savvy so it turned out to be a great fit for me!
What are some foods you can't live without?
Pasta, cheese, chocolate, wine, cake, pie dough (it almost doesn't matter what you fill it with).
What are some foods you can't stand?
I'll try pretty much anything, and don't have a lot of strong food dislikes.
What is your proudest blog post?
A while back I figured out how to make Kouign-Amann, after tasting it at a bakery and falling in love with it. I felt like it was a pretty challenging recipe for me at the time, and yet, it came out absolutely perfect the first time I made them. It's one of the first times I said to myself, "Hey, you aren't too bad at this food blogging thing!"
What is your biggest blog blunder?
I was playing around with the code of my WordPress theme to change a color for a button or something like that. Somehow I managed to make a major error in the code and my entire blog disappeared, including the place where I log in to access the back end of my blog. I was pretty stressed out! It took me a little while to figure out how to get at the code through my hosting service, find my error, and correct it. Thank goodness my blog came back after that. Now, I always make sure I have a current back up before I touch any code.
What is your most memorable comment from a reader?
"Thank you for sharing this recipe! I remember making gnocchi with my grandmother as a little girl, and I'm looking forward to sharing those memories with my son." It felt great to share a recipe that really meant something to a reader. I feel like I got to make a real connection with a real person.
What's on your cooking playlist?
Anything classic rock, swing (love the Big Bad Voodoo Daddies), Bastille, Banks, Adele, X Ambassadors, One Republic, Fitz & The Tantrums... I could go on for a while.
What are some food blogs you love?
Smitten Kitchen, Pinch of Yum, David Lebovitz, Food 52, How Sweet It Is, Dessert For Two, Half Baked Harvest, I Am A Food Blog
Favorite food apps?
All Recipes Dinner Spinner, Yummly
What is the best thing about blogging?
I love being able to stay home with my kids but still do productive work that keeps my brain busy. I also love connecting with others who are as interested in food as I am.
Worst thing about blogging?
I can't think of a lot of downsides. I love blogging. Though, every once and a while it's difficult to have the self-discipline to write a post when I'm tired, sick, really busy, or whatever.
What recipe are you currently obsessed with?
I just got back from Italy, so I'm really getting into the handmade pasta thing right now. I'll be posting some of the recipes I've been working on soon. I've also been making a lot of soft tacos lately. Tortillas are a perfect vehicle for eating almost anything, but I'm on a quest to find the perfect shredded pork taco recipe.
What would even your most loyal followers be surprised to learn about you?
My regular readers know quite a bit about me. I talk about almost everything on my blog. But, I guess not many people know that after delivering my second son, I got really, really sick from a staph infection I picked up at the hospital. I spent about six months on IV antibiotics, and about eight months using a walker because the infection damaged my nerves and I couldn't walk normally. I still struggle a lot with chronic pain. It's not something I talk about a lot because it was a very difficult time for me, and I generally prefer to keep an upbeat tone on the blog.
Five of your all-time favorite posts?