Married, Baby & Cooking!

Macaroni Kid Eats was fortunate to be introduced to Celebrity Chef James Briscione and his wife and partner, Brooke Parkhurst through FOM (Friend of Macaroni), OXOtot. James' and Brooke's story almost seems like a Hollywood movie . . . a southern belle and a southern gent form a friendship as kids at a church camp and happen upon each other 15 years later. That fateful encounter parlayed into dating, eloping and a life together in New York City as parents to baby girl Parker Lee. 

James is the only two-time champion of Food Network's “Chopped” and “Chopped Champions” and has cooked for celebrities and Presidents as a sous chef at Restaurant Daniel in Manhattan. James is currently an instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York. Brooke writes an online food column, “Full Plate” for the New York Daily News.

Their love of food, cooking and family inspired them to write a cookbook together. Just Married and Cooking will be on shelves May 10^th. Although they are just married and cooking together, James and Brooke told Macaroni Kid Eats the book is for everyone – especially us parents who are feeding multiple mouths with multiple taste preferences.

I had the chance to ask them some questions. This is what they dished out to Macaroni Kid Eats.

Many parents face the challenge of cooking for different preferences - as culinary savvy parents, what advice do you have for creating dinners that everyone will hopefully eat and eliminate the position of "short order cook" from parent's job descriptions?

Brooke and James each gave their own answer to this one...Brooke has a more hard-line approach when it comes to mealtime expectations. She has followed in her mother's footsteps...”It's my way or the highway.” She of course does not let her daughter go hungry but Brooke said that she was raised to you eat whatever the dinner was for the evening and if she did not like it, she could have an apple with peanut butter. As a result, Brooke ate what she was served. As a caring, confident mom, Brooke knows that if Parker does not eat well at dinner, then she is going to be sure to serve her a good sized breakfast with lots of protein to fill up her daughter's hungry little tummy. James is a bit of a softy – most dads are for their daughters. He said there is usually always some type of “back up” in the fridge ready to pull out if Parker is not digging what she was served.

James and Brooke like to make simple base dishes kiddies will like and that can be embellished for grown up tastes. James teamed up with OXOtot to create a sweet pea mash that can be prepared as bruschetta with ricotta and caramelized onions, served with crostini or as a mash with ricotta and mint, accompanying a nice piece fish, such as red snapper, or even chicken. Babies and toddlers will like the mash and, as their tastes develop, they can venture into the doctored up versions.

What are you thoughts on setting aside one or two nights a week where a couple eats after the kids are in bed to enjoy a quiet dinner? Do you think that preparing the meal together can be a fun bonding experience for a couple?

James and Brooke eat dinner as a family, or together, almost every night. Since Brooke often gets home first, most nights she whips up something for Parker and does a little prep for a later dinner with James. James said that dinner time for them is a team effort...Brooke finishes off getting dinner made while he puts their daughter to bed. They get to sit down and enjoy a meal and conversation together to catch up on the day.

Any couple time is a good thing so the key to making this “dinner in” date night work is definitely team work. Planning and a little prep is necessary but if you would like to enjoy an occasional grown up dinner-in during the week, it is totally doable and is always worth it!

After kids come, "grown-up" life seems to fade into the background. How can parents entertain friends/family, with or without kids, and bring "grown-up" back? Similar to the dinner dilemma - what can hosts serve that will appeal to grown-ups and kids alike. Is it necessary to have two separate menus?

James said hosting a gathering definitely does not have to be complicated and the hosts can make it special for kids and grown-ups. He and Brooke like to take one food item from the party and make it special for young guests. It makes the kids feel like part of the party and means that you don't have to serve reptile shaped processed chicken. They suggested cookies or ice cream sundaes...prepped ingredients like pre-made dough or toppings make it easy and allow kids a little creativity and ownership over their masterpiece.

James said that he has been crushing on grilled cheese recently as a food item at parties for grown-ups and kids. Most kids LOVE grilled cheese, so it is a great main feature for young guests. Cook some up with unique ingredients, an assortment of cheeses and good breads for an appetizer to serve to the grown-up guests. Tapenades, spreads, herbs and roasted veggies are all delicious additions for sophisticated grilled cheeses.

We all like to know that celebrities, celebrity chefs and the like face the same challenges every other parent faces. What has been the biggest challenge as new parents and feeding your daughter?

Having two parents who can cook and prepare a diverse menu of dishes, Parker has shown an adventurous palate, but like most toddlers, she has a mind of her own and at times “wants what she wants.” Again, Brooke knows that not eating a full dinner one night won't mean her daughter will starve and knows to have a good breakfast ready to go for her hungry little girl. And wouldn't you know, Parker's favorite food is MACARONI! Smart girl!

I have read about your "Culinary Bucket List" - on your travels to check off the list's entries, will you be taking along your daughter on your culinary road trips? So far, what has been your food nirvana?

James and Brooke almost answered in unison when I asked this question. They were lucky enough to experience the Northern Italy Truffle Festival together. Wine and truffles...for many there isn't much more needed for an incredible meal. They shared that unlike here, in the states, where truffles become quite expensive and indicate an gourmet meal, truffles in Norther Italy are part of everyday cuisine and they enjoyed that experience and food.

James shared that his "culinary bucket list" dream is to one day travel to Europe with Brooke and Parker and eat their way through the farmers markets of Europe.  They would like to introduce Parker to as many flavors as possible and teach her that food does not have to be a snobby, gourmet experience, but a cultural and visceral one. As many of us know, traveling two blocks with a toddler can be a challenge so the markets of Europe will have to wait.

Your book coming out in May, Just Married & Cooking, is this a cookbook that all culinary abilities will find helpful? Sometimes parents who cook well get in a rut, some parents need help in the kitchen when it involves anything more then boiling water - we love cookbooks that appeal to the mass!

James and Brooke assured me that their cookbook, Just Married & Cooking, is for everyone! The largest, most in depth chapter in their book is "Everyday Dinners." As working parents, they understand and appreciate the value of a wholesome, quick home-cooked meal. Fortunately, with James culinary background, a chapter with everyday meals was developed to ease the stress of weeknight dinners. You do not have to be "Just Married" to enjoy their cookbook and recipes. For a preview of their flavorful but time friendly recipes, visit their website, Just Married & Cooking.

I always like to ask a final question about favorite food - in this case, would you all like to share what your family's favorite "go to" meal is for an evening after a hectic day and everyone is famished and tired?

James was quick to answer that a go to meal for them might be a sandwich. Protein, veggie and a ton of flavor can be packed between two slices of bread...straight up, grilled, pressed...I think we can all understand and appreciate that. Brooke added that she likes to make sure they always include a quick cooking protein, like a roast chicken and pair it with roasted vegetables. She shared the suggestion that roasting vegetables is a quick way to cook vegetables while incorporating a complex flavor to the meal by concentrating their flavor when roasting. Brussel sprouts, asparagus and cauliflower are a several veggies that taste great roasted.