We love meeting new and inspiring creative people. We also love food (who doesn’t?!) and are constantly searching for creative ways to share recipes with our Studio Tea readers. Needless to say, when Lauren K. Stein, reached out to us we were thrilled to learn more about her latest cookbook Fresh Made Simple featuring beautifully illustrated, original recipes. Lauren graciously offered to share her recipe for a delicious Italian Cacio e Pepe pasta dish and here she dives into the story behind her work with a little Q&A.
We understand that this book was inspired by your little one… tell us more!
Feeding my little girl fresh, whole foods was a reminder that more of the food I was eating should look like the food she was eating. So I crafted this cookbook as a way for us to eat, cook and read together. The illustrated recipes are so approachable – my daughter loves to pick what we are going to have for breakfast or snack and then we cook together. It’s all homemade and it’s all fresh.
What’s favorite recipe in the book? Why?
I love the Burrito Scramble! Everyone in the family gobbles it down, even our youngest who is 1! My husband is the probably the biggest fan. The recipe was inspired from a super simple breakfast I used to eat in Mexico – scrambled egg and corn tortilla. I just built on that idea, adding fresh veggie toppings, beans and yogurt, which I love as a substitute for sour cream. The dish is filling and colorful. Plus, I love eggs for dinner—this makes a perfect weeknight dinner.
Follow along on @laurenkstein on Instagram to see her illustrated recipes come to life!
We always talk about how food connects us — how you slow down over a meal or tea to connect and stay present. What does food mean to you?
Right now, as the mom of two young kids, food means nourishment. I want to see them grow strong and appreciate food and our access to food. I want to show them healthy options can be tasty options. I’d like them to appreciate our family time in the kitchen – talking, cooking, eating, connecting. But truthfully, even though we are all stretched for time or eating on the go, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take care of ourselves. Recipes like the ones in the book can be quick and good for you.
What is your favorite illustration in the book? Why?
Try Lauren’s Cacio e Pepe recipe below. Make sure to let us know what you think!
| Servings | Prep Time |
| 4 servings | 2 minutes |
| Cook Time |
| 15 minutes |
|
|
|
|
We're sharing a delicious recipe for the easiest pasta ever, courtesy of our friend Lauren K. Stein of Fresh Made Simple. Learn how to make the traditional Italian dish, Cacio e pepe (which means cheese and pepper in Italian). Make sure you don't skimp on extra cheese!
|
- 1/2 box angel hair pasta
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
- 1 1/2 cups pecorino romano cheese
- freshly grated pepper to taste
- Cook half a box of angel hair pasta, strain it (saving 1 cup of pasta water) and add it back into your pot. Add the pasta water as needed to make the sauce creamy. Add in 1 1/2 cups of Pecorino Romano cheese, tossing with tongs until the cheese melts and the sauce is creamy. Add freshly grated black pepper to taste.
Excerpted from Fresh Made Simple (c) Lauren K. Stein. Illustrations by (c) Katie Eberts. Used with permission of Storey Publishing.
