My name is Christine Rooney. I live in rural Minnesota with my husband and cat, Bernard. I own and operate The Rustic Foodie and work as a freelance photographer and writer. I like my food to be like anything else in life - down to earth and full of flavor.
My goal is to take simple ingredients and coax them into their full potential using time-tested cooking techniques. I strive to be as healthy as possible, but hey, if someone offers me a chocolate eclair - I'm not turning it down.
I am heavily influenced by nature and this tends to come out in my cooking. I love to use seasonal and local ingredients if possible. During the summer months, you will usually find me working in the garden. I love to hike, cross-country ski, write, photograph, and of course, eat. In a perfect world I would have lots of time to read for enjoyment.
I am a small town girl through and through, but love to travel any chance I get. List of things I consider necessary in life: Coffee, wine, cats, chocolate.
As of October 2018 The Rustic Foodie is gluten free! I have discovered that gluten is not my friend and I am feeling much better without it. Posts published to The Rustic Foodie after October 2018 are gluten free and posts published prior to this date are in the process of being updated to accommodate a gluten free diet and lifestyle.
All recipes will continue to focus on down to earth ingredients and simple cooking techniques. Does this mean that I've stopped eating things like bread, muffins, and pancakes? Heck no! NO ONE loves pancakes more than me!