Get to Know Volunteer Field Editor Elisabeth Larsen

Drawing inspiration from her favorite restaurants and cookbooks, home cook and Taste of Home volunteer field editor Elizabeth Larson regularly experiments in her kitchen by trying out new techniques and flavor combinations. She creates stunning desserts like this Raspberry Icebox Cake and also puts unique twists on classic favorites. Her high-rated Chicken Curry Lasagna really allowed her culinary creativity to shine. We adore her sense of culinary adventure and we’re certain you’re going to love her too.

 

Taste of Home: We’d love to know a little bit about you and your family. Who do you cook for?

Elisabeth Larsen: I cook for my husband, Gerrit, and our three kids (ages 10, 7 and 4).  My husband is adventurous and loves to try anything I cook. My kids all love to help in the kitchen. Getting them involved in the process really encourages them to try new things.

 

TOH: What do you love about cooking?

EL: It’s so much fun to be able to try new things, and also, I love being able to cook delicious things for the people I love! One of our favorite family traditions is “new foods night.” Each family member chooses a new food they’d like to try and I incorporate them into our meal. When the kids get picky, sometimes I have to remind the kids of a time that they tried something new and discovered they really liked it. But as a rule, they’re pretty adventurous.

Have a picky eater at home? Try some of these parent-approved tips.

 

TOH: Who taught you how to cook?

EL: My mom taught me how to cook and was really supportive of all my earliest efforts.  She would let me pick recipes from her Taste of Home magazines, buy all the ingredients and then let me make them and help if I got myself in over my head. As you can tell I’ve been a Taste of Home fan for a very long time.

 

TOH: When you’re making a special meal, what is always included?

EL: I like to make a lot of different foods for holidays, but they will always include some sort of great dessert.

Psst! Check out our 5-star dessert recipes for your next special occasion. You’ll find some great treats!

 

TOH: It looks like you have a lot of healthy recipes. Do you have a favorite go-to healthy recipe that we’ve published?

EL: My Sesame Chicken Veggie Wraps are a great go-to weeknight dinner for our family. They’re nutritious, fast to make and all three of my kids love them.

 

TOH: We all have one—what dessert can’t you walk away from?

EL: I probably have more than one, but I really love cookies. My personal favorites are a classic chocolate chip and I also love Taste of Home’s chocolate chai snickerdoodles. There’s just something irresistible about a crispy, chewy cookie.

 

TOH: What gadget do you have in your kitchen that you reach for the most?

EL: I love my KitchenAid stand mixer for bread and baked goods, but it’s also great for mashed potatoes or shredded cooked meat.

Here are a few more ways to use your KitchenAid mixer.

 

TOH: Do you watch cooking shows on TV? If so, do you have a favorite or a favorite personality?

EL: Definitely! I love The Great British Baking Show. I also love Molly Yeh and Girl on the Range.

Love baking? Join Bakeable, Taste of Home’s community designed for people who love baking just as much as Elizabeth!

 

Find out what it takes to become a volunteer field editor for Taste of Home and fill out an application today!

Volunteer Field Editor Elisabeth Larsen’s Best Recipes

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As a mom to three little ones, Elisabeth loves trying new foods and flavors. She's constantly drawing inspiration from her favorite restaurants and cookbooks to create new and interesting recipes like the ones you'll find in this collection. Learn how to become a Taste of Home Volunteer Field Editor here!

Bacon Cheeseburgers with Fry Sauce

In Utah, fry sauce is the beloved state condiment. We use it not just as a dip for fries, but also as a spread for hamburgers. Utah is known as the Beehive State, so I wanted to add honey as a special touch to my fry sauce. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Air-Fryer Garlic-Rosemary Brussels Sprouts

This is my go-to Thanksgiving side dish. It's healthy, easy and doesn't take very much time to make. I usually season my turkey with fresh rosemary, so I always have leftovers for this standout. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Banh Mi Skewers

I love banh mi sandwiches but wanted to make them a little easier to serve for a party. These skewers are a really fun twist! For easier prep on the day of the party, make the meatballs in advance and freeze them. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Slow-Cooker Chipotle Pork Chops

I love the tender texture of pork chops from the slow cooker! The flavor of this sauce is similar to barbecue, but with a little extra kick. The crispy onions on top add a delectable crunch. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Slow-Cooker Key Lime Fondue

Love fondue but want something other than milk chocolate? Dip into my white chocolate Key lime fondue with graham crackers, fresh fruit and cubed pound cake.—Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Lemon-Dijon Pork Sheet-Pan Supper

Most nights, I need something that I can get on the table with minimal effort and delicious results. This sheet-pan supper has become an all-time favorite, not only because of its bright flavors, but its speedy cleanup time, too! —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Caramelized Pineapple Sundaes

Whenever we get a craving for a tropical escape, this super simple recipe whisks us away in no time. Vanilla's nice but drizzling the sauce over salted caramel ice cream and taking a bite is just pure paradise. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Chicken Potpie Galette with Cheddar-Thyme Crust

This gorgeous galette takes traditional chicken potpie and gives it a fun open-faced spin. The rich filling and flaky cheddar-flecked crust make it taste so homey. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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BLT Quinoa Bowls

I absolutely love a BLT with sliced avocado and an egg. Recently, I've been trying out grain bowls, and I thought the flavors of my favorite sandwich would work really well. My family agreed! —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Farmers Market Enchiladas

These vegetarian enchiladas use a lot of garden favorites in a quick weeknight meal. Feel free to substitute whatever vegetables you have from your garden—yellow summer squash, eggplant and corn all taste great here, too. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grv, Utah

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Baked Chicken with Bacon-Tomato Relish

We eat a lot of chicken for dinner, so I'm always trying to do something a little different with it. My children love the crispness of this chicken and my husband and I love the flavorful relish—you can't go wrong with bacon! —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grv, Utah

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Mexican Roasted Potato Salad

My husband is the No. 1 fan of this south-of-the-border potato salad. The leftovers make an awesome late-night snack, straight from the fridge. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Hazelnut Pear Cake

From the hazelnuts to the yummy browned butter glaze, this dessert is a little different from an everyday pound cake. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Thai-Style Cobb Salad

This veggie salad is like a mix of Cobb salad and my favorite summer rolls. If you have leftover chicken, toss it in. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Strawberry-Carrot Smoothies

My children resist veggies, but they love smoothies. This one packs in lots of good-for-you fruits and veggies—but to my kids, it's just a super delicious breakfast. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Candy Bar Cheesecake Brownies

I came up with these brownies as a way to use up my son's leftover Halloween candy. You can tint the cream cheese orange for a spooky touch. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grv, Utah

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Ham & Brie Strata

There's nothing quite like my comfy strata made with Brie, ham and mushrooms. Put it together and bake it now, or hold it overnight to pop into the oven tomorrow. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Roasted Tomato Quiche

This cheesy quiche comes together quickly enough that I don't have to wake up really early to get it on the table, and that’s a bonus. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Garden Vegetable Gnocchi

When we go meatless, we toss gnocchi (my husband's favorite) with veggies and a dab of pesto. I use zucchini in this, too. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Chorizo Burrito Bowls

I'm always on the hunt for fast and filling meals. Chicken sausage makes an awesome one-dish dinner by itself or served with brown rice in a burrito. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Tomato Soup with Cheesy Ghost Croutons

Kick off your night of trick-or-treating by making this hauntingly delicious recipe. It’s just like having grilled cheese and tomato soup. We eat it every year on Halloween.—Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Green Beans in Red Pepper Sauce

For easy veggies, I make a simple sauce of sweet red peppers, almonds and parsley. We also like this sauce with zucchini or roasted cauliflower. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Slow-Cooker Shredded Beef Lettuce Cups

The slow cooker is our summertime go-to for cool kitchen cooking. After swim lessons and outdoor activities, it's so nice to come back to a tasty, light dinner. If you can't find Bibb or Boston, green leaf lettuce is less sturdy but can work in a pinch. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Grilled Zucchini with Peanut Chicken

Zucchini slices make perfect finger food. It’s fun to make a topping for zucchini and a good solution for a never-ending crop. — Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grv, Utah

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Chicken Curry Lasagna

My family loves Indian food, and I thought the creamy tomato-based sauce in our favorite curry would be tasty as part of a lasagna. This is a yummy and exciting comfort food for our family! —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Sesame Chicken Veggie Wraps

I'm always on the lookout for fast, nutritious recipes that will appeal to my three little kids. They happen to love edamame, so this is a smart choice for those on-the-go days. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Roasted Butternut Squash Tacos

Spicy butternut squash makes a great base for these vegetarian tacos. I'm always looking for quick and nutritious weeknight dinners for my family, and these are delicious, too! —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Loaded Chicken & Gouda Calzones

When I had my daughter, I tried to have a lot of meals in the freezer to make those first few weeks easier. These calzones were one of our favorites! We loved being able to pull them out and have dinner in minutes. I've dipped these in spaghetti sauce, pesto and ranch dressing, and they were all delicious! —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Carrot Cake Shortbread

I really love carrot cake and wanted to make a cookie that had the same flavors, and these comforting cookies are are it! Cinnamon, maple and vanilla make them perfect for the holidays. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Pomegranate Pistachio Crostini

Pomegranate seeds intrigue me, so I sliced French bread, smeared it with cream cheese, and added seeds, pistachios and chocolate. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Chicken, Nectarine and Avocado Salad

This salad is really summery and comes together very quickly. Using granola adds crunch and makes it different. I've tried using a various types of granola, and our favorites have been those that aren't overly sweet but have lots of nuts. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Garlic-Rosemary Brussels Sprouts

This is my go-to Thanksgiving side dish. It's healthy, easy and doesn't take very much time or effort to make. I usually use rosemary for my turkey so this lets me use up some of the leftover herbs! —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Apple Butter Pork with White Beans

This enticing dish is an entire dinner with meat, vegetables and beans, wonderful to come home after I've run the kids around to activities all afternoon. The apple butter with the pork is yummy and perfect for fall! —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Pressure Cooker Shredded Beef Lettuce Cups

I love this light yet lively dinner for busy days that are filled with swim lessons and outdoor activities. If you can't find Bibb or Boston, green leaf lettuce is less sturdy but works in a pinch. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Fresh Raspberry Icebox Cake

Layered icebox cakes are so fun because they look impressive but couldn't be easier. Fresh raspberries make this one really special. Use Anna's Ginger Thins to get the scalloped edges, or regular gingersnaps if those are not available. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Cornmeal-Wheat Pancakes

Drizzled with a touch of honey butter, these tasty hotcakes will brighten your sweetie's morning...if the rest of the family doesn't get to them first. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Ham and Avocado Scramble

Hearty ham, creamy avocado and a hint of garlic—this winning egg dish has all the makings for a breakfast, lunch or dinner. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Berry Breakfast Smoothies

Smooth out the morning rush with a boost of berries. It's tart, tangy and sweet, so there's no need to add any extra sugar to this delightfully balanced beverage. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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White Bean and Spinach Salads

This is one of my favorite summertime salads. Fresh parsley, tarragon and chives give the homemade dressing special flavor. Packaged pre-cut matchstick carrots make it a snap to fix! —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Summer Vegetable Cobbler

Here’s a comforting vegetarian main dish that uses a lot of garden produce. Try different squashes like pattypan and crookneck or zucchini. — Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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Apple-Pecan Pork Tenderloin

This recipe was born when I needed to use up some apple cider. It was so good, it's now a go-to for company. I like to crush the nuts with a rolling pin, but chopping works fine, too. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

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The post Get to Know Volunteer Field Editor Elisabeth Larsen appeared first on Taste of Home.

Sue Stetzel