17 Oct Inside the Fridge: Miranda Mowbray

Inside the Fridge welcomes university student Miranda Mowbray, an English major at the University of Rhode Island, and a food and healthy-living enthusiast. Miranda tells all in her blog Biting Life, detailing her experiences with weight loss, a physical disability, and her struggles with anxiety. Her journey of overcoming obstacles is bolstered with healthy food, a supportive boyfriend, and a touch of humor. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook.

ITF: Where do you shop for food?

MM: I’m really into grocery shopping. I’m all about getting the most for my money. I shop at three grocery stores every week – PriceRite, Stop & Shop, and Shaw’s. Occasionally I’ll also visit Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, but that’s only for special occasions or to buy something really specific.

ITF: How many do you shop for? Ages?

MM: I shop for both my boyfriend and myself – I’m 20 and he’s 24. We just moved in together a couple of months ago, so it’s still a challenge trying to come up with recipes and food that will please both of us.

ITF: What is your weekly food budget?

MM: Our weekly food budget is a strict $75. That money is divvied up three ways – (1) ingredients for the recipes I will use to make 3-4 suppers each week, (2) seven lunches per week for each of us, and (3) staples that we go through quickly.

ITF: How many times a week do you eat out? (based on 21 meals/week)?

MM: My boyfriend and I try very hard not to eat out a lot because we’re college students trying to save money. We will have a “date night” once a month and go to a restaurant, but other than that we almost always eat in. Sometimes we get takeout sushi (I think I’m addicted!) for lunch too, so it probably ends up being about once a week.

ITF: What is the most coveted food in the fridge right now for each member of the household? Why?

MM: Cheese. We just love the stuff! He uses sliced cheese on his sandwiches, shredded cheese in his scrambled eggs, and will have cheese sticks for a snack. And cheese and crackers is my favorite dessert, so I’m always reaching for some brie or fromager d’affinois after dinner.

ITF: What is the oldest item in the fridge right now?

MM: The oldest item in the fridge right now is definitely the soy sauce. I think we’ve been working on that bottle for over a year! We actually use it a lot, but a little bit of soy sauce goes a long way.

ITF: What convenience product can you not live without?

MM: I could never live without bagged shredded cheese! I absolutely loathe shredding cheese by hand. It hurts, it’s annoying, it takes forever, and I can never quite get that grater as clean as I want it afterwards. I’m also a huge fan of frozen vegetables!

ITF: What cooking utensil/piece of equipment/appliance do you live for?

MM: My favorite pieces of cooking equipment are definitely my garlic press and my colander. Both my boyfriend and I are obsessed with garlic, so I end up using the garlic press in almost every recipe I cook. I just wish it was easier to clean! The colander sounds like such a silly thing to list here, but it really is my favorite. I use it at least once a day.

ITF: What was the last meal you cooked from scratch?

MM: The last meal I cooked from scratch was risotto. I make this delicious spinach risotto with butternut squash, goat cheese, and just a hint of white zinfandel. Get my recipe here .

ITF: If one person could cook for you tonight, who would it be?

MM: Hands down, I would pick my grandmother for this. She is probably the best home-cook I’ve ever known and the person who originally piqued my interest in the world of food and flavor. I love her sausage and gemelli dish with fresh basil, mmmmm I can smell it now.

Thanks Miranda!

If you would like to be featured on Inside the Fridge, please email RobinsBite Intern Leah Wakefield– Leah *at* robinplotkin *dot* com