Interview with Kristin Bingham from Holy Cannoli Recipes

Kristin Bingham is the quirky genius behind the mouth-watering blog, Holy Cannoli Recipes. The blog is all about food, where Kristin shares recipes that she has tried, as well as some product reviews, too.

What was your inspiration to start a food blog?

I had been posting pictures and talking about the different recipes that I was trying on Facebook. Family and friends kept requesting that I forward the recipe to them. One day my best friend, Marissa, told me I should start a food blog. I had no idea what that meant but dove in head first. It really just started as away for me to share recipes with my friends and family.

What was the turning point for your blog? When did you realize it was successful?

Uh, I never knew it was to be honest. Which is why I was shocked when I got the email that I was nominated for the 2013 best blogger award.

What’s your personal advice about food blogging to new bloggers?

Do what makes you happy and don’t try to conform yourself or your blog to what other bloggers are doing. Sure, I’d love to have gorgeous pictures of food that are worthy of being on the cover of a magazine but I’m not a photographer. I have a basic digital camera and the food you see on the blog is the food I’m sitting down ready to dig into. I also wouldn’t push yourself too hard. Don’t worry about getting “x” amount of posts out. Have fun with it.

What was your readers’ most favorite blog post? What do you think is the reason why the post got people’s attention?

My recipe for Buffalo Chicken & Potato Casserole. I recently noticed that it’s a pin on Pinterest that’s been circulating around quite a bit. I think the recipe itself is an interesting concept. It’s chicken doused in hot sauce and blue cheese dressing (or ranch), covered in hash browns, and baked until golden brown and crunchy. It’s basically a buffalo chicken wing casserole.

Where do you see food blogging in five years?

I think it’s going to be a big source of where everyone gets their recipes from. I still occasionally pick up a cookbook now and then but my first stop is always the internet when I’m looking for something to make.

What’s the craziest recipe you ever cooked or baked? Why?

It’s a toss up between Tropical Pork Chops (with bananas on them) or Sea Bass with Honeyed Apples. I’m sure the names say it all. I never once thought about butting a banana on top of a pork chop but the flavor combination was amazing. The same goes for the sea bass. I’ve never had a combination of fish and apples before and the crunchy sweet combo was on that I won’t forget. Both of these recipes were so outrageously different from anything the Mr. and I’ve eaten that I knew I had to try them. Both times the Mr. gave me that infamous “look” that says, “Are you crazy?” and both times we stopped just short of licking our plates.

What’s your favorite Restaurant? Why do you love it?

Pie For the People in Joshua Tree, CA. That a tough one since the Mr. and I don’t really eat out. Although I’m a huge fan of this local pizza joint where we’re currently stationed. They have these oddball names like David Bowie, Life by Garlic, and Buffalo Soldier.

What’s their best dish you could recommend? Why?

David Bowie (jalapeno, bacon, caramelized onions, pineapple, mozzarella and drizzled with plum sauce)

If you do not like a particular dish at your favorite restaurant, what will you do?
Deal with it. There’s only one time where I asked for something different and that was when the Mr. and I were at the Marine Corp ball. It was the beef dish and the beef was just seared (not cooked at all). I asked the waiter for the chicken or vegetarian plate instead.

Your favorite photo on the blog that you shot yourself. Why do you like it?

It’s a Caramel Bailey-tini that I made for one of my favorite holidays, St. Patrick’s Day. It’s the only photo that I actually made a backdrop for.

Name your favorite food blog and tell us why.

I have a lot that I browse and try recipes from but there isn’t one go-to blog that I frequent.

If you could banish any food from the earth, what would it be? Why?

Canned corned beef. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone into a restaurant, ordered their corn beef and eggs combo and for $15 was given the canned stuff. I’ve only been to two places so far that have actual fresh corned beef in their corned beef hash.

Another favorite photo on the blog that you shot yourself. Why do you like it?

Gingerbread Marshmallows are a tradition every year. The picture shows not only the gooeyness of the marshmallows but also puts you in the holiday mood with the background.

What’s your food guilty pleasure? (Something you love to eat, but feel guilty right after)

Brownies. I can sit down and eat a whole pan.

What’s the most exotic meal you’ve had?

I wouldn’t consider it exotic anymore since it’s one of my fave fried foods but I’d say fried calamari. I remember getting it the first time with my family right before hopping on a boat to go whale watching in MA.

What’s your favorite ingredient to cook with?

I put onion in everything.