THE MISSISSAUGA-BASED, AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR CHATS ABOUT EATING A BALANCED DIET, SQUID AND A FEW OF HIS FAVOURITE FOODIE THINGS.
BY NANCY RIPTON
Occupation: Author. I write books for children and young adults.
What’s your secret food vice?
Potato chips . . . who doesn’t love potato chips.
What is your number one comfort food?
Boiled potatoes and toast. Pretty boring.
What is your biggest food challenge?
I drink mainly water and tea, but every now and again an ice cold Coke on ice calls out my name. I cover my ears and close my eyes and refuse to listen.
What keeps you eating a balanced diet?
My wife. My desire to live forever. The bathroom scale. A need to keep moving forward and staying healthy enough to do that.
Any allergies or dislikes?
No allergies. I really don’t like squid though. Who was the brave or troubled soul that decided that was food?
What must you always have in your fridge?
Cold water, chocolate ice cream (although I guess that’s in the freezer), fresh butter, and thinly sliced roast turkey
What are some of your go-to meals?
Stir fry, breakfast for every meal, lots of pasta especially homemade lasagna
Strangest food you’ve tried?
I had crocodile once in Kenya. They always say that exotic foods taste like chicken. Crocodile tastes like chicken dipped in mucus and rolled in slime.
What’s your favourite dish or food to eat in the winter?
Homemade stews and soups, lots and lots of pasta dishes
What is your favourite meal to make for guests in your home?
My favourite meal for company depends on what they would like – are they vegetarians, what do they like, are they trying to lose weight, are they meat eaters. The meal is always about what the guest wants.
What is your favourite ingredient to cook with and why?
Garlic and butter. Basically cardboard would taste good with garlic and butter (and maybe some cheese on top)
What have you been busy with over the last year?
I have six books coming out next year including the first two in gigantic trilogy. The first book comes out in January and is called The Rule of Three.
What’s next for you?
Keep writing, keep eating.
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