Recipe Developmet:
I thoroughly enjoy getting down and dirty in the kitchen, creating new recipes. Some companies I have developed recipes for include: Sun-Maid Raisins, Harris Ranch Beef, Newman’s Own, Crazy Cuizine, Boulder Canyon Chips, Davidson’s Safest Choice Eggs, The Mushroom Channel, POM Wonderful, California Avocado Commission, Frieda’s Produce and Idaho Potato Commission.
My recipes and photographs have been published in multiple websites including The Huffington Post, Yahoo Shine, BlogHer, PBS Parents Kitchen Explorers, OprahMag.com , Frieda’s Produce, Newman’s Own and Davidson’s Safest Choice Eggs, to name a few.
I have also appeared on Fox 5 San Diego’s Morning Show several times.
SEO Savvy
With the ever changing world of search algorithms, I found I had to recreate myself and dive into SEO (Search Engine Optimization) after years success and failures combined. I am a creative by heart, but knew I could no longer close my eyes to the necessity of appealing to the Google Gods and learn how to master SEO.
As a writer, the thought of writing content solely for the purpose of SEO crushed my creative spirit. But, after taking the time in 2018-2019 to learn about SEO and tapping into the wealth of information hidden in Google Search Console, I have rewritten old posts, optimized new posts and doubled, sometimes tripled my blog traffic.
I have learned how to balance a creative and delicious recipe for my blog and my clients as well as researching and choosing the optimal keywords to insure success in the long run. What does this mean to you? It means that it will take a month or two instead of a year or more for people to find the sponsored post via google search.
A few examples of these optimized and successful sponsored posts are:
- Deep Fried Prime Rib Roast for Harris Ranch Beef
- Shrimp and Crab Dip for Boulder Canyon Potato Chips
- Cranberry Orange Quinoa Salad for Whole Foods Market
- How to Make Egg White Royal Icing for Davidson’s Safest Choice Eggs
Olive Oil Expert and Cookbook Author
I am also an award-winning cookbook author! The need to create runs very strong in me, and I collaborated with fellow food blogger, Mary Platis (California Greek Girl), to write and photograph our first cookbook, Cooking Techniques with Olive Oil. Our ebook received the Gold medal winner of the Global Ebook Award from Dan Poynter.
The response was so positive that we were encouraged to bring our book to print. And we did. Mary and I have self-published our own 132-page hardback cookbook. We added more information, more recipes and more photographs! My graphic design background came in handy as I did all the photography and book design myself. You can purchase our book here.
I have also photographed two cookbooks written by my friend, Stephanie Weaver: The Migraine Relief Plan and The Migraine Relief Plan Cookbook.
Outdoor Cook and Cookbook Author
Because we are a camping family, I found myself cooking outdoors all the time. We brought gourmet meals to our campfire cooking, as well as to our scouting families.
This passion for preparing fabulous meals over the fire inspired my second cookbook, The Camp and Cabin Cookbook (2018 Countryman Press). I created and photographed over 100 recipes that you can prepare outdoors over fire using a number of different techniques: grilling, foil cooking, ash cooking, Dutch oven cooking and more!
The recipes feature my cooking philosophy of using fresh ingredients to create beautiful and delicious food.
Corporate Food Photography
I also do free-lance photography work with many companies. From ebook development to product photography, I do it all. Companies include Sun-Maid Raisins, Gourmia, Abuelita Chocolate, Tanimura & Antle and Cuttingboard.com.
Press: You can read the reviews of my cookbook and my blog here.
Book, product review policy
You can find over 500 recipes, most of which are my own, here on my blog. I periodically write about some of my travels with my family. Most of my product reviews are very pertinent to my blog and my cooking philosophy.
They tend to be cooking ingredients and cooking products. I also review cookbooks from time to time, again, as long as it fits my blog. I focus on real meals, mostly unprocessed, from all around the globe.
I will not accept goods in exchange for a guaranteed review. If I mention a company, event or product, it’s because I like it, have used it myself, and truly believe in it.
I do not like to fill my blog with product reviews, so I am very particular about what I choose. I do like to share what I love on social media on a regular basis.
How we can work together:
- Sponsored posts and videos
- Recipe development
- Self-Publishing consultation
- Sponsored cookbooks
- Giveaways
- Promotions
- Photography
- Videos
- Graphic Design
- Product reviews
- Represent your brand at an event or conference.
Contact Me!
If you would like to contact me about any business opportunities, media kit, your cooking philosophy, kayaking, Persian culture, or anything at all, you can email me here: Laura AT familyspice DOT com
PS If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback.
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