When the new year begins, many people resolve to change their eating habits. It is more than just healthy eating. The willingness to improve their cooking techniques, to explore cuisines, and to enjoy a home cooked meal increases greatly. Home Chef collaborated with Yumna Jawad, the creator behind Feel Good Foodie, to offer a bounty of Mediterranean recipes. During a recent conversation with Yumna, she hopes many home cooks will embark on this chapter of a new food journey.
Cooking can be a joy for some and a chore for others. Some people can look at a smattering of ingredients and create many recipes from those items. Others can look at a full refrigerator and say that there is nothing to eat.
Meal kits have become a way for cooks to gain confidence in the kitchen. The curated ingredients and recipes help to guide people through the process. Whether it is the way for one person to try new flavors or another person to step away from the delivery order, it is a way to appreciate that cooking great food is achievable.
Over the years, Home Chef has offered its standard weekly fare as well as special collaborations. The limited time offers bring extra excitement to the regular orders. It does not necessarily have to push people too far out of their comfort zone. Those special dishes balance familiar ingredients with some innovative flavors.
To start 2025, Home Chef partnered with Yumna Jawad, the creator of Feel Good Foodie. Many people have been inspired by her appreciation of flavor, food, and a balanced lifestyle. Ahead of the announcement, Yumna graciously answered some questions about her collaboration with Home Chef as well as her love of Mediterranean food.
Cristine Struble: Mediterranean food has many traditions, how do you keep those classic recipes fresh and engaging?
Yumna Jawad: I love adding creative twists to traditional recipes and incorporating seasonal ingredients while staying true to the essence of Mediterranean flavors. I try to modernize them by using time-saving shortcuts like using pre-peeled garlic, swapping some ingredients that may be harder to find like chickpeas for fava beans or using condiments in new expected ways like marinating chicken with hummus.
CS: What is the biggest misconception with Mediterranean food and/or recipes?
YJ: One of the biggest misconceptions about Mediterranean food is that it is a single, uniform cuisine. In reality, the Mediterranean region includes diverse cultures and foods from many countries including Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Morocco, Lebanon, and more.
CS: Your brand has been focused on how food makes you feel - do you think that people need to better understand the impact of food? Is there a tangible way to get people to become more engaged with understanding the connection between flavorful food, good ingredients and how they feel?
YJ: I think understanding the impact of food on how we feel is so important. I love to make my followers feel more engaged through educating them on my recipes and sharing time-saving tips. When people experience how good ingredients and flavorful meals can boost their mood and energy, they will feel more inspired. One way I accomplish this is with my weekly meal plans that include easy recipes packed with good-for-you ingredients with grocery lists to make it easier to execute the plan and try recipes.
CS: With your partnership with Home Chef, what are you hoping to share with people? How do you feel your approach to food fits within this partnership?
YJ: I wanted to show how Mediterranean-inspired dishes can be approachable and delicious for everyone. Home Chef's focus on convenience and flavor aligns perfectly with my goal to make wholesome cooking more enjoyable and accessible.
CS: What is your favorite recipe in your collection?
YJ: One-Pan Lemon Chicken and Couscous with green beans
CS: Some people are apprehensive about cooking. How do you think that Home Chef helps them gain confidence?
YJ: I love Home Chef because it offers approachable recipes that make cooking easy and convenient for home cooks of all levels. Beginner home cooks can feel more confident with Home Chef’s step-by-step recipes and pre-portioned ingredients to make them feel less overwhelmed.
The Home Chef and Feel Good Foodie collaboration is available now through Friday, January 24, 2025 at 11:59 am CST. New customers can redeem a special offer. With the code, ‘FEELGOODCHEF,’ new customers can receive “18 free meals plus free shipping.”
More information on this partnership can be found on the Home Chef website. Additionally, special promotions can be found on the brand’s social media accounts.