I cook because we need to eat and like to eat yummy and healthy food.

-Angie
#KitchenHero

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Kitchen Hero Angie grew up watching her mom cook, but that doesn’t mean that this self-taught cook won’t find some frustrations with cooking every now and then! Sometimes thinking of what to cook can be complicated, but Angie has found a way to make cooking fun again. By trying new recipes and discovering new dishes, she is able to enjoy non-boring dinners and get her son to eat new foods! Now that’s a success story! Read her Heroes in the Kitchen story below.

Name: Angie Reno
Age: 29
City, State: Niceville, FL
I cook for: my family and our health.
I cook because: we need to eat and like to eat yummy and healthy food.
Outside of the kitchen I: play with my toddler, Zumba, and read.
Favorite Cook Smarts meal: Tacos! Either the Mahi Mahi Tacos or the Turkey and Pico de Gallo Tacos.

How did you learn to cook?
We had family dinner most nights growing up. My mom would cook or have something ready to go in the oven for days she worked late. I watched her, followed her recipes, and started learning on my own.

What’s been your biggest cooking challenge?
Finding new recipes! The same handful got boring. I have a shelf of cookbooks (mainly unused) and using the internet gave me too many choices.

How has your cooking routine changed since starting Cook Smarts’ meal plans?
SO much has changed. We pick 2-3 recipes a week to make. I now make salsa, seasonings, dressings, marinades, etc. from scratch. I’m amazed at how easy and delicious they are. I love all the colors and fresh flavors in the foods.

Our most fun Cook Smarts tradition is our Thursday night dinners. We have another family over for dinner and try a new recipe each week. It’s been so much fun to try new meals – and they have all been a success.

“[My biggest cooking challenge is] finding new recipes! The same handful got boring. I have a shelf of cookbooks (mainly unused) and using the internet gave me too many choices.”

Tell us about your proudest kitchen moment.
I have a toddler. When I made the Maple-Dijon Panko Crusted Chicken, I offered Josh (my son) bites, as I usually do. He chowed down his bites, looked at me, and said, “More bawk-bawk.” He had never asked for more meat before. It was pretty great.

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Nothing makes us prouder than when we hear people asking for seconds, Angie! Trying new recipes is a great way to discover new dishes and ingredients, and we’re happy to hear that these have turned into success meals. So…do we get an invite to the next Thursday dinner?!

To join Angie and cook meals like her favorite Mahi Mahi Tacos and Turkey and Pico de Gallo Tacos, check out our meal plan service. You can get started for free!

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