About Ali
Hey! I’m Ali, and I am so happy that you found your way here to Gimme Some Oven.
I created this little corner of the internet to celebrate life around the table and the good food that bring us all together. Here in our house, we gravitate towards recipes that are quick, easy, seasonal, (mostly) healthy, and big on flavor. So whether that’s whipping up a quick stir-fry or batch of cozy wild rice soup in the wintertime, blending up some refreshing gazpacho with sangria in the summertime, making our millionth batch of tacos and margs on Tuesdays, or baking up a warm batch of cinnamon rolls and eggs benny for sunny weekend brunches — my heart is never more happy than when my table is filled with good food and good people gathered ’round.
If that sounds like your style too, you’ve got a kindred spirit right here. ♡
A bit about me.
When I began this blog back in 2009, I was working as a full-time musician by day and cooking up a storm by night. Now, I have the privilege of doing all of the recipe-developing and writing for this site as my full-time job. And more than a decade into blogging, I can honestly say that I still absolutely love it. Seeing the recipes that I create here in my tiny kitchen show up on your tables around the world makes my heart deeply so happy, and I work hard to be sure that this site continues to be a trustworthy resource for you to turn to.
Beyond the blog, I’m a born-and-raised Kansas girl who’s currently living the expat life for awhile in Barcelona, Spain. We try to make the most of those crazy-cheap RyanAir tickets and travel on the weekends around Europe as much as possible. But when we’re home, you can find us soaking up sunny terraces with friends, taking the pups for long walks along the shore, enjoying endless tapas and glasses of vermut, and just enjoying our cozy little apartment here in the city center.
To follow more along with life and reflections behind-the scenes, feel free to follow my personal Instagram account. And for anyone interested, I also share there about our infertility and IVF journey too.
A bit about my food philosophy.
So what kinds of recipes will you see here on Gimme Some Oven?
Short answer: a little bit of everything.
The food that I share on the blog is the food that we eat here in our home. And as an omnivore married to a vegetarian, the majority of the meals in our house are now plant-based. (So some of you long-time readers may notice that meat dishes have become less common on here.) One of the things I also love about living in Barcelona is that the markets here are strictly seasonal — as in, you couldn’t find fresh watermelon or tomatillos here in December if you tried — which has been great extra motivation to cook with seasonal produce as much as possible.
The majority of our meals during the weekdays fall in the 30-minutes-or-less category. But I also love cozying up with a hot cup of coffee or a glass of wine on the weekends and diving into recipes that require a bit more time, like our favorite Swedish cinnamon buns or Spanish paellas or DIY maki rolls for “Sushi Sundays.” You may notice that we also have a major weakness for Mexican food, noodles of all kinds, soups and various kinds of cookies around here. And while most of my recipes are on the healthier side, I definitely also enjoy indulging in some indulgent sweets and comfort foods on occasion.
So as always, please always feel free to take whatever recipes you love on here and leave the rest. And if you ever have specific recipe requests, don’t hesitate to let me know because I love to cook what you’re craving!
Thank you.
More than anything, I just want to say thank you so much for being here, and I hope that this site can play some small part in making your days a little brighter and tastier. Cheers, everyone. ♡
Love,
Ali
Started out to make 1 recipe of this and ended up making 3 because I loved the taste so much!! Delicious!! Still my question is does it have to stay in refrigerator once canned?? I would think not, but need to know.
Just made the Best Fried Rice Ever!! Thanks for the recipe. You’re right about the sesame oil!
Sorry , no pictures. We ate it all, too fast. But it looked just like your pic!
Best,
Denise
Every recipe you post is amazing! If I type something I want to make into the search bar on Pinterest, and your link pops up, I always go with it, and it is always a family favourite from then on! Thank you thank you thank you :D
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your blog! Have 3 middle school kids with various food tastes and a husband who will eat anything :) We eat at home 7 days a week and try to eat whole foods as much as possible. Your blog has enabled me to easily cook good food that tastes great! Turkey Cheeseburger Soup, Ultra Crispy Nuggets, your simple salads and more have been lifesavers! They get thumbs up from everyone in the family. THANK YOU!!!!
Your site is my absolute go-to when looking for new recipes to try. As a half-vegetarian myself I appreciate that you have recipes that my husband and I will both enjoy, or can be adapted easily. Thank you Ali!
We had the Authentic SPANISH GAZPACHO two nights ago. Living in TN made it even more enjoyable since it is a cold soup, and we currently have 95 F almost every day. It was very easy to make and very delicious.
I will try more of your recipes since I am from Germany and I love good food.
Thank you and keep on doing more.
Ali, I am a woman of 56 years, a wife of one man with 36 years of marriage behind us, and a mom of eight children (our youngest being 21). Since the time my children were young, I have cooked each night for them but it was always a dread and I had to face it – not something I enjoyed. Now, with my children all grown and most all out of the house, (we do have 6 young adults borders who rent our bedrooms , two being our youngest), I not so often cook dinner , if I can help it.
I decided a couple weeks ago to look for healthy, but delicious and simple recipes and I happen to come across a recipe from Gimme Some Oven. I liked what I saw and I have been copying recipes every since! I am only two weeks to your blog and I have gained an enthusiasm to cook that I never had! Keep up the good work! And, thank you for sharing, Ali. (I share your love for Kansas City as well, Ali. My husband and I have lived in Olathe, Ks for 36 years and are in Kansas City all the time. And, so are our children , who are your age).
Ali, you are a very talented young woman !! Your recipes are easy to follow thank you!
Hi Ali,
I will be hosting a dinner party for our neighbors and making your chicken enchilada casserole. Another neighbor is bringing authentic Mexican Flan, and another neighbor an awesome guacamole appetizer. What do you suggest I serve along with that casserole? I’ll also be making a pitcher of your margarita recipe too!
So fun! I would recommend my Everyday Mexican Salad if you would like some fresh greens to balance things out. :) Enjoy!
Your Jambalaya recipe drew me in, and now I am an ardent fan. I have never followed any cooking blogs, but you have changed the way I rummage the internet for recipes. Thank you so much.
I tried your potato soup recipe last night and added a couple of red chili peppers to it. We loved it! Thanks! Will be back to try out some of your other recipes! Am anxious to try some of your plant based offerings.
This website set up is so freaking cute! and i love love love you wedding blogs and videos! eee!
Hi Ali,
I would love to make some allergy friendly beef jerky. My son has Autism and Epilepsy, and he cannot have any Dairy, Soy, Legumes, Gluten, Grains, Starches or Sugar. I am hoping for a spice mix that has none of the previous ingredients, and tastes wonderfully savory. Thank you for your help.
How long will this cake keep if you want to give it as Christmas presents. Really delicious.
Ali, I am SO excited to try the Chunky Guacamole recipe and the Slow Cooker Hot Artichoke Dip! I love your blog, recipes and energy, and the fact that you moved to Spain and love studying Spanish ?…me too!
I’ve been experimenting with ‘Bowl’ recipes and will see if you’ve done the same. Thank you! Have a great weekend!
I’ve been using you recipes for a couple years now. When I look for recipes online I look for gimmesomeoven first! You’re cooking skills are remarkable and have never failed me.
Now my confession:
I’ve made several of your recipes and told my friends where I found them. My friends would ask about the the website and I just figured it was some old dude on the internet with a lot of experience. My bad, as I am a 57 year old dude who loves to cook. I joined the newsletter today and read your bio and was pleased to see you are “not some old dude” ; but a beautiful(!!!) young woman who’s husband and the online community are blessed with.
Keep it coming, you make life worth living.
Can you use the cold slaw cabbage for the cabbage and potato soup?
Querida Ali: Te escribo desde Colombia, Sur América. Probé tu receta de arroz chino y me encantó, así que la he adoptado de ahora en adelante. Quiero expresarte mi agradecimiento y desearte un Feliz Año 2020. Escribo en español porque veo que estás viviendo en Barcelona con tu esposo. Felicidades! Yo estudié en Lawrence, en KU, así que Kansas City me trae buenos recuerdos y me alegré de leer que provienes de allí.
Un saludo cordial,
Fernando.
Thanks so much for your wonderful light. I made the focaccia and it was the best I’ve ever made. I just followed you on Instagram under Copper Beech Institute, the nonprofit mindfulness center that I founded 5 years ago. May your light only continue to shine more brightly.
Wishing you peace and courage,
Brandon
your baked chicken recipe is amazing thank you… dave
Hi Ali. Just discovered your site with great recipes and blog. It took me forever to find who created these recipes. You refer to your site by name but not yourself. Finally went to About where you introduced Ali. Only time I found your name. As a vegetarian, I have is disagree with your statement, “especially thanks to marrying a vegetarian), so you may notice that proteins are becoming less and less common around here.” Meat and fish proteins are becoming less common, but you are discovering more vegetable proteins! Keep going and don’t give up. You have a wonderful outlook.
Dear Ali –
I have told SO many people about your blog over the years. So happy to see you achieving a well-deserved success. And BTW – I really appreciate that so many of your recipes are plant-based. <3
Keep it up!
I want to make your candied pecan chex mix, but I can’t find the recipe. I’ve gone to the chex.com website. N
Hey Guys. I was just referencing your jambalaya recipe for a prepared item at Local Pig and recognized your photo. Small internet.
Love the Thai Cucumber Salad. Approximately how many servings are in the recipe?
I have been following you for several years now, and I admire your upbeat attitude toward and enjoyment of life. You have my favorite recipes for the Mexican food I miss here in Washington State, where I can pull them up and share the marvelous food, true to the tastes I know with some exciting and interesting additions, I so enjoy with the People of the Great Northwest. It is marvelous that you are able now to devote your time to a job you love as well as a husband (and pups). May God continue to bless you and your endeavors and your family! Thank you!
I just wanted to thank you for your blog I mostly watch you in bloglovin and then go back in do some of your other recipes that I’ve seem to miss or decide that’s not what I wanted that day of the week did not know you had a YouTube channel I will be looking for that what I’m interested in right now is the cabbage egg drop soup and I think I you have given me an idea what they use for the soup base at my favorite Chinese restaurant for a Chinese vegetable soup lot of it is Napa cabbage has a couple of pea pods thrown in usually quite a few mushrooms bamboo shoots occasionally some carrots or bean sprouts and lots of onion and celery has a wonderful flavor but I could never figure out what to do as starters this gives me a good idea where to go to start figuring this out I am older about to turn 66 but cooking for 6 for adults and two teenage girls so I get my cooking experience you give me ideas sometimes I don’t use the whole thing sometimes I use it spot-on take care and keep the good stuff coming
I’ve been looking for a tasty, quick and reproducible recipe for oriental stir fried rice with lots of room for experimental and creativity. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Love to try your foods!! Going to make the baked eggplant parmesan soon!! :-)
Hi, this is Birgit, your upstairs neighbor. Just to thank you for your lovely “corona bag”!!! It was so funny (two rolls of toilet paper, hahaha…), and so thoughtful ! We will be shut inside for quite some time, probably, so if you ever need anything, just ask!! No real hugs allowed right no, so please take a virtual one! Keep healthy, everybody, and lots of patience!
I LOVE this recipe… and I have made it twice (in the past 2 weeks) but would love to make a usability suggestion.
I have this recipe on my phone…and the ingredients are listed separately from the directions. It would be helpful to those (who like me, use their phone for recipes) to add the ingredients into the directions.
For example.
2. In a small saucepan, heat 3/4 cup of butter and the 6 oz of dark chocolate….
Just a thought.
Thanks for having amazing recipes!
Hi Ali,
I just discovered your website and it’s fantastic! I looking specifically for hearty AND low-calorie recipes, and I’d like them to include the calorie counts. Is there such an animal?
Thank you so much!
Monica
I have cooked in small cafe’s for years. I’m 75 now and only have myself to cook for. I really enjoyed your blog. The recipes you have on are what i have wanted to do myself. You have used ingredients that every cook, new or old can follow. And ingredients that most cooks have on hand. Good work. Keep it up. Jane in colorado.
Great dinner recipe in this time of Covid-19. Thanks, it was delicious!
How can I make the dark chocolate oil tart recipe enough for an 11 inch pan
I truly hope you are safe & healthy!
Delicious Irish Soda Bread…thanks for the simple recipe!
Great recipes! By the way what font do you use?
Made your favorite chicken breasts last night. I can’t believe what a short brine can do….and the spice blend was terrific! Can’t wait to try more recipes! ❤️?
Came here for the Mint Coffee recipe and wound up spending some time going through your site and blog. Hope all is well, as it appears you are in the worst of it in Europe right now!
Hello Ali….Have been using your fabulous recipes for some time and thought I should thank you!
My husband and I are senior citizens (probably old enough to be your grandparents) and try to
eat healthy and your my very favorite site with outstanding “easy” recipes.! With the virus that is
going on in our worlds today we are being even more dedicated to eating healthy and at home.
Just finished copying 4 new recipes this morning. Soooo thank you so much for what you are
doing to help all of eat well and healthy.
Also loved the pictures of lovely you and your handsome husband with the sweet puppies. We just
have a new puppy 4 months old. We lost our other Australian Shepherd and just could not bear to
be without his baby brother Sam. Stay safe and well….Kind Regards Vivian, Jim and Sam
I enjoyed your post very much.
I always end up coming back to your blog and recipes! Wish you had a cool book :)
I was looking for a good lentil soup recipe and discovered your blog. I tried your Lemony Lentil Soup today, and it was scrumptious. I added it to my Paprika Recipe Manager app, and it gets 5 stars! I will be trying more of your recipes .. they do seem to be my style.
Then I looked you up, and discovered that you live in Barcelona. I love Barcelona, by the way. But I was horrified because of what Spain is going through right now with COVID-19, and I’m writing to find out if you are safe. I hope and pray that you are, and that you and your husband are well.
I am tickled to death to have stumbled over your blog. I was just looking for a recipe for fried rice. I was drawn to yours for some reason. The love of my life is from Seville (Sevilla for the natives) and we live in Pensacola, Florida. We are both foodies and we love surprising each other with a something/anything approach to cooking. I am from Alabama and I am well trained in the art of cholesterol. Concha is well trained in everything I have never heard of. She is a specialist in sauces from the Canary Islands and her gazpacho is becoming famous on the Gulf coast. Thank you for doing that voo doo you do so well!
Ali, I found you on line while searching for things to share with seniors, something to watch while staying in place and staying safe. I”m starting with your mexican breakfast casserole!!! I love it and I’m sure they will too!Thank you, Can”t wait to try more. Faith,in Mn.
Absolutely Love your recipes!
Regarding: Flour Tortilla Recipe
Question: What are the measurements for alternative “Fats”. I.e., Lard, Butter, etc……Thank you.
Sincerely wishing you well in combating the COVID Virus.
Ali,
I love your blog and your recipes so much!!!! They have become a stable in my household and we cook with you several nights a week. What makes your blog really stand out for me as you always offer so many cooking variations (make it dairy free, use different veggies, bake longer/shorter, add different spices etc) it allows at home cooks to really make all the adjustments that fits an individual family. Thank you for sharing all your creativity and delicious food.
Hi Ali,
New member here. I would love to know, is there a connection with your blog title and the Spencer Davis Group?
I know I will always be thinking of your when I hear their iconic song on the waves.
So then, all that’s left to be said is….
“Gimme Some Oven,,,,,,,, Every Day”!!
All the best,
Arugula and grape salad is yum! Making for friend now!!
Hello Ali,
What a joy to find the recipes that I needed and someone that is cooking them from my beloved Barcelona!!
I am from Barna but reside in the Utah right now.
Hope you are having a full and beautiful life there!
Keep posting!
Love,
Teresa