PLATTSMOUTH NEBRASKA – One of the top choices for posts on social media are the food creations people make. We’ve all seen them. When they look good, the posts make you hungry. When they look great it makes us want to find out more. That’s why we reached out to folks in Plattsmouth, Nebraska who post some of the best hunger-inducing images of their culinary creations. Here are a few that caught our eye this week.
Jamie Frazier Olson: A Journey of Tradition, Innovation, and Love
Plattsmouth’s Jamie Frazier Olson has found a unique way to connect with her past, share love with those around her, and engage in a therapeutic practice that brings joy to many. Her passion for cooking and baking, especially breads and yeast products, is not just a hobby; it is a journey deeply rooted in family tradition, personal innovation, and a love for sharing.
Growing up in a home filled with the aromas of freshly baked goods and the warmth of a mother’s love, Jamie developed a fascination with the art of making food. “I have always had a special fascination around making food, especially breads and yeast products,” she shares, reflecting on the influence of her mother’s culinary skills. Watching her mother work magic in the kitchen, Jamie learned to appreciate the beauty that comes from a few simple ingredients transforming into something delicious.
Bread-making, in particular, holds a special place in Jamie’s heart. She describes it as a form of therapy, a way to connect with her inner self and find peace in the midst of chaos. “Bread seems to hold a particular healing power, probably because of the necessity to really work it with my hands and the care that it takes to make the ingredients work together; it is a therapy of sorts,” she explains.
Her journey with sourdough, a living organism requiring daily care, has been particularly rewarding. “Sourdough is particularly fun because it is a living organism requiring daily care and, literally, feeding,” Jamie says. This unique aspect of sourdough baking has allowed her to form a bond with the process, nurturing her starter as one would care for a cherished plant.
Sharing her culinary creations is Jamie’s way of expressing love. In a world changed by the COVID-19 pandemic, where the office spaces once filled with colleagues to share baked goods with are now empty, she finds solace in being able to share her food with a wider audience online. “For me, sharing food is definitely a love language – it’s how I let people know I care about them,” she expresses.
Beyond the personal joy and therapy that baking brings to Jamie, it is also a way for her to connect with her family’s past and keep her mother’s legacy alive. She recounts her mother’s and aunts’ tradition of baking bread every Sunday, a practice that she has now taken on in her own unique way. “My mom didn’t bake from recipes; she utilized baker’s percentages and created her own instructions for baking depending on altitude, weather (humidity, especially) and quantity,” Jamie recalls, highlighting her mother’s expertise and influence on her own baking journey.
Today, Jamie continues to experiment with various baked goods, from bread and bagels to pancakes and cookies, using her mother’s methods and her own innovations. “My starter is now three years strong and, together, we make beautiful loaves of bread, pancakes, popovers, bagels, pretzels, pizza, stromboli, and even cookies,” she proudly shares.
Sharing her creations online has not only allowed Jamie to connect with others who share her passion but also to keep her mother’s memory and legacy alive. “Now, for me, baking is how I reconnect with my mom even though she is no longer physically with me,” she reflects. Through her culinary journey, Jamie Frazier Olson has found a way to blend tradition and innovation, share love and joy, and keep the spirit of her mother alive in every loaf of bread and every batch of cookies she bakes.
Misty Sharkey’s “Souper Sunday”
“Souper Sunday” is a beloved routine in the Sharkey household, initiated by Misty and her family as a way to explore a variety of recipes and flavors. “We love trying new recipes and love a lot of flavor in our meals,” Misty explains. The Gumbo, specifically chosen by her oldest child, represents this adventurous spirit.
When it comes to the Facebook community’s reactions to her post, Misty notes, “…it was nice to see others were interested or thought my dish looked yummy.”
Misty’s “Souper Sunday” is steeped in familial connections and the joy of sharing. “The choice to cook Gumbo was inspired by what our family calls ‘Souper Sunday’ during the cooler months. We cook a warm, hearty soup and watch football on Sundays,” she shares. This tradition is not just about the food itself, but also about creating lasting memories and fostering a sense of togetherness.
“Sometimes it’s a new recipe and sometimes, it’s a classic like Chili or Sausage Potato Soup with Spinach,” Misty continues, highlighting the variety that “Souper Sunday” brings to their family table. By sharing these culinary creations online, Misty extends the tradition beyond her immediate family, swapping recipes and connecting with friends and the wider community.
Crafting a Stunning Platter: A Conversation with Sarah Slattery
Sarah Slattery, a culinary artist with a flair for creating breathtaking platters, recently shared her process and inspiration behind a cheese and fruit platter that garnered admiration at a weekend wedding.
When it comes to choosing and arranging cheeses, Sarah employs a thoughtful and artistic approach. “I made this with several different fruits and cheeses,” she explains, detailing her selection of Asiago, Gouda, Havarti, and White Cheddar. She elaborates on her method, saying, “I like to cut them into different shapes and arrange them in visually appealing ways.” Her attention to detail and creativity don’t stop there; she even uses differently shaped cutters to match the theme of an event or holiday, adding an extra layer of personalization to her platters.
Sarah’s platters are also distinguished by her ability to blend common fruits with exotic varieties, creating a vibrant and tantalizing assortment. She describes one of her latest creations, noting, “For the fruit, I used a nice ripe pineapple, strawberries, some red centered kiwis, and some dragonfruit!” Sarah is not just passionate about the aesthetics and taste of her platters; she is also savvy when it comes to sourcing her ingredients. “I like to shop at different ethnic markets for interesting exotic fruits at more affordable prices,” she shares, highlighting her practical approach to creating luxurious platters. She even shares a specific example, “This dragonfruit is from the Asian Market in Omaha.”
Despite the complexity and allure of her platters, Sarah emphasizes the simplicity of the ingredients and the process. With a selection of quality cheeses and a variety of both familiar and exotic fruits, she crafts platters that are a feast for both the eyes and the palate.
Nettie Epp: Preserving Heritage and Celebrating Tradition Through Cuisine
In the heart of Nettie Epp’s kitchen lies a treasure trove of secrets, passed down through generations from the bustling kitchens of Damascus, Syria, and Kafernaski, Lebanon. Nettie, known amongst her family and friends as the Lebanese cook, has made it her mission to preserve and share the rich flavors and memories associated with her family’s traditional recipes.
As a child, Nettie found solace and joy in her Grandma’s kitchen, a space filled with love, laughter, and the tantalizing aroma of spices and herbs. “To me, it is not just amazing flavors and textures, but the many memories that surround this food,” Nettie fondly recalls. It was in this cherished space Nettie learned the art of Lebanese cooking, a skill she would carry with her through the years.
Several years ago, her sisters encouraged her to put pen to paper, transforming her memory-based recipes into a tangible collection to be shared and savored. “It was such a rewarding experience to be able to share with everyone,” she explains. This journey of documentation was more than just about preserving recipes; it was about keeping alive the spirit of communal feasting and celebration that was integral to her family’s motto: “whenever two or more gather, we shall put on a feast.”
In today’s digital age, she has found a new platform to share her culinary creations and the rich history that accompanies them. Social media has become her virtual kitchen, where she posts photos of her dishes along with the cherished recipes. “I love the reactions when I make food posts on social media, everyone who knows what it is gets so excited. Ethnic food just seems to embody so much love,” Nettie shares. These online interactions have become a source of joy and validation, connecting her with a community of food lovers and fellow cooks who appreciate the love and tradition embedded in her dishes.
The act of cooking and sharing her recipes online is more than just a hobby; it is a way of preserving her family’s heritage and sharing the joy of Lebanese cuisine with the world. Through her cooking, she brings to life the memories of her Grandma’s kitchen, ensuring that the flavors, traditions, and love that defined her childhood continue to flourish and inspire future generations.
Smoke, Memories, and Community: The Story of Tyler Kennedy’s Grilling Adventures
Tyler Kennedy has found a unique way to connect the past with the present, using his smoker and grill as tools to keep his family’s legacy alive. Tyler’s journey into the world of smoking, grilling, and even curing meats is more than just a hobby; it’s a tribute to cherished moments spent with his grandfather, and a practice that he passionately shares with a wider community online.
Tyler’s entry into the BBQ world started as a fun activity with his grandfather. “I recently got into curing and cold smoking,” Tyler shares, indicating a deepening interest and mastery of the craft. He adds, “started BBQing with my grandfather for fun, and it turned into a hobby.” It’s clear that these moments spent grilling and smoking meats have left a lasting impression on Tyler, evolving from a casual pastime into a serious pursuit.
The feedback and reactions Tyler receives online play a significant role in his BBQ journey. “Always happy to see others in the community who enjoy the things I do. That stuff makes anyone feel good,” he remarks. The digital thumbs-ups and comments from his online community provide validation and a sense of shared joy, contributing positively to his emotional well-being.
Tyler’s BBQ adventures are deeply intertwined with his memories of his grandfather, creating a special blend of tradition and personal passion. “Of course it does,” he responds when asked about the connection to special memories or traditions. “It was something my and my grandfather both enjoyed, and makes me happy to still be doing something we both love.” By sharing his creations online, Tyler is able to keep these memories alive and invite others to share in the joy of grilling and smoking. “Lol, I like posting the picture to share what I cook; it doesn’t usually last long enough for most to try,” he jokes, highlighting the ephemeral nature of his delicious dishes.
Awesome too read all sounds fun eats
Absolutely! Thanks for your comment!