If you haven’t yet joined cookbook author and food blogger Molly Yeh (pronounced “yay”) in her cosy farm kitchen, there’s no better time than now, with the new season of her Emmy-nominated show Girl Meets Farm airing on DStv’s Food Network (channel 175). Having moved to her husband’s sugar beet farm after they met in New York, Molly had to rely on her own cooking skills to whip up the variety of dishes and treats she craved and couldn’t buy in rural Minnesota.
So if the lockdown is limiting your menu’s usual variety, Molly’s inventive and delicious versions of her favourite foods is all the inspiration you’ll need. We have five reasons you’ll be saying “Yay!” in the kitchen with Molly!
1. Millennial mamma
Molly gave birth to her adorable daughter Bernie in 2019, so expect plenty of hearty, yummy family- and toddler-friendly dishes. Not to mention easy! Look out for the tater-tot brisket.
2. For the love of sprinkles
Molly is unashamedly fond of rainbow sprinkles. They brighten and adorn everything from birthday cakes and giant macarons to versions of traditional favourites like marzipan hamantaschen and her mom’s rugelach.
3. Heritage recipes
Being of Jewish and Chinese heritage and married to a fifth-generation Norwegian farmer, Molly takes on a wide variety of traditional family favourites. Her clever tips and hacks will have you whipping up dumplings, matzo ball soup and potato lefse like a pro in no time.
4. New York state of mind
Molly and her farm boy met as music students attending the famous Juilliard School in NYC, and it’s her time in the Big Apple that kickstarted her culinary journey. Now, living in rural Minnesota, Molly recreates all her favourite NYC treats in her own cosy home kitchen. Whether it’s a thin and crispy shakshuka pizza, hearty yet healthy bagel breakfast salad or decadent glazed doughnuts, her city favourites regularly pop up in delicious but oh-so-easy new guises.
5. Give it some spice!
A lover of all things hot and spicy, Molly is determined to encourage her husband and in-laws to be more adventurous with their mild Midwest palates. By taking some of her new hometown’s old favourites and upping the spice factor, she manages to keep everyone happy. Expect a Midwestern twist as she cooks up a mouth-watering taco hotdish, refreshing chili-lime fruit salad, and ham-and-cheese chilli poppers.
Girl Meets Farm S5 airs on Thursdays on Food Network (175) at 19:25 and is also available to stream on DStv Now
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