I love when people see the world through a lens of humor. Sometimes these don’t even realize it, they are so innately funny they just can’t help themselves! I was reading the About Me page of Nazia’s Your Sunny Side Up blog and was actually giggling! First she fooled me, I thought I was going to meet someone who is as obsessed with eggs as I am, turns out she does love eggs, but I can see right away that she just has a positive (sunny side) view on life.
I almost had to immediately break up with her when she stated she hates cream cheese frosting. Because in my opinion, there is nothing greater! But then I realized that meant there was more for me, and I am okay with that.
Nazia is a witty part-time chef and blogger. As well as a darn good photographer. Her real job is being a student, and these days, a post-grad student, in London. Which means a lot of her meals are fast. Real fast. But fast doesn’t mean not tasty and Nazia has a ton of recipes on her blog for people on the go.
How’s 3 minutes to make a chocolate mug cake??!! IMPRESSIVE.
Let’s meet Nazia!
[1] Have you always been a foodie, or is that something you grew into?
I’ve always enjoyed food and as I grew older my enthusiasm for it shifted from not just eating food, but trying to make the food myself, too. Food tech at school was by far one of my most favourite classes (a lot of fond memories!) but unfortunately there wasn’t an opportunity to study it past the age of 14.
Still, I found other ways around it and signed up for classes in my local community over the summer – I really wanted to learn! And I got to eat pretty well during those classes, too. I love trying new foods and whenever I visit someplace new I make a conscious effort to track down all the best places to eat. My friends are the same and our social calendars revolve around where to go for our next meal, with any other excursions always coming second.
[2] How and why did you begin your blog?
For years I would buy cookbooks but never use them – I enjoyed looking through them but never thought I could reproduce the results and so they would sit in storage boxes hidden under my bed. When I started university I really learned to appreciate the value of money, in that I had none, and decided to start a food blog (then called This Baker Girl Blogs) to put all that money I had spent to good use. It was one of the best decisions I’ve made. The initial idea was to document all the things I was learning as I worked from different cookbooks and attempted different recipes. I never expected it to become such a huge part of my life!
On September 2014 I decided to rebrand my blog as Your Sunny Side Up with a greater focus on storytelling and developing my own recipes. I still buy and use cookbooks (I’ll never stop!) but I’ve grown in so much confidence in the kitchen and love the idea of exploring my own creativity and sharing it with others. Rebranding was a scary decision to make but I am so happy I did – I’m learning a lot and am having so much fun!
[3] What’s your favourite thing to make/cook?
Oooh, that’s tricky! But I think my favourite thing to make is usually whatever dish I had made last. I always think “wow, that tastes great, let’s do it again!”. Blogging and baking/cooking are not my full time jobs – I’m a post-grad student and I don’t usually get home till 7pm – so besides evenings and weekends I don’t get a lot of time to indulge in my favourite hobby. Which is why I’ve most recently become inclined to making things that are quick and easy but still taste really good. It’s a lot easier to wake up at 5am when breakfast consists of Oats and Raisin Breakfast Muffins or my Three Ingredients Banana and Nutella Puff Pastry Pies.
[4] What is your favourite thing to eat?
If I’m being honest, it’s toasted buttered bread. Not at all adventurous or fancy, I know! But it’s something I eat practically every day and don’t think I could go without. But I have a massive sweet tooth and my favourite dessert of all time is cheesecake. Any kind will do, but I usually go for a strawberry cheesecake.
I also really love Chinese food, but unfortunately my family aren’t too fond of it. I remember insisting on ordering in a Chinese takeaway for the whole family one night, and ended up eating leftover chow mein for the next 2 days. Not that I’m complaining – I didn’t mind it at all! And a recent trip to Italy has definitely sparked an interest in authentic Italian food. Once you’ve tried ‘real’ pizza, there’s just no going back.
[5] What is your comfort food?
It’s a tie between my mother’s spaghetti bolognese, and my macaroni and cheese. Both dishes just scream comfort! If I’m feeling in particular need of warm and fuzzy insides then I usually opt for the spaghetti, because nothing tastes better than my mother’s cooking.
[6] Describe your perfect food day.
Hmm, let’s see … Well breakfast would definitely consist of toasted buttered bread, some fruit and maybe a smoothie or freshly squeezed orange juice. For lunch I would have a big plate of chicken chow mein, or spaghetti bolognese, and maybe a cheesecake for dessert. Dinner would probably consist of pasta and more fruit, followed by something rich and decadent. Am I allowed to have snacks? I would snack on chilli cheese fries throughout the entire day.
[7] What are three other blogs that inspire you?
There are so many that I enjoy. But three that I frequently stalk and am in love with are:
1) Happy Yolks. Kelsey is so genuine and writes beautifully, and the photographs always take my breath away.
2) Oh, Lady Cakes. I want to make everything and become best friends with Ashlae. Whenever I notice she’s published a new post I drop everything.
3) My Name is Yeh. Molly makes me laugh out loud and her food is incredible. All three are written by some of the most beautiful, sincere and talented women I have met in this crazy blog-land, and they’ve inspired me to find my own voice and explore my own creativity.
8. Do you have advice for bloggers just starting out?
Lots! Connect with other food bloggers and with your readers, find your own voice, work hard, be open to learning a lot, try different things, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. But most of all to just have fun with it – do it because it’s something you enjoy. Keep going and good luck!
Thanks Nazia!
Keep up with Nazia’s tasty tidbits on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+ and Pinterest and of course by visiting Your Sunny Side Up.
How about you? What would you like to ask Nazia? What’s would your perfect food day?
Want to Support Me as a Blogger?
> +1 this post on Google+, are we connected there?
> Retweet my tweet about this post on Twitter, are we following each other?
> Like my post on Facebook, are you a fan?
> Like my post on Instagram, are we following each other?
> And of course, bloggers always love comments!
November 14, 2014
1. Cream cheese frosting is like nectar from the breast of Jesus. If, you know, that could happen. SO GOOD.
2. Those Nutella hand pies? That will be happening at my house VERY soon.
3. Blogs like yours and Nazia’s make me realize how far I have to go when it comes to food photography. My biggest challenge is taking shots in the dark. I refuse to cook my dinner at 2:00 p.m., and my kitchen isn’t the brightest anyway. And the food I consumed from my cooking classes in Italy? That dining room was SO dark and had no natural light at night obviously, so all of my pictures look orange and have a very shallow depth of field. Have any tips to do better when lighting conditions are less than ideal??
November 14, 2014
@Katie, you just mentioned my BIGGEST pet peeve – dining rooms that are too dark! I don’t have these, but if your kitchen and dining area don’t get natural light you need to get some lights and those umbrella things (yes, that is the technical photographer term for it, ok, no it isn’t) to help.
November 14, 2014
Awesome feature on Nazia! I must say those Nutella pastry pies are so delectable! And I’m with her on mac N cheese as the ultimate comfort food! I have my fill at least once a week! 🙂
November 14, 2014
@Cara, my hubby recently made his first batch of gourmet MacNCheese and it is definitely a fan favorite!
November 16, 2014
Thanks, Cara! With these colder days (and nights!) I’ve taken to make it quite regularly too! 🙂
November 14, 2014
Okay, those Nutella Puff Pastry Pies?!! AMAZING! I’m checking out Nazia’s blog ASAP <3
November 16, 2014
Thank you! Would love to see you there! 🙂
November 14, 2014
Oh my dear lord those recipes look amazing! I will for sure be following this talented girl. Thanks for sharing!!
November 14, 2014
I also can’t live without toasted buttered toast. Nothing is better than toast!! I love cheesecake – making it and then eating it. 😉
November 15, 2014
Yay, someone who agrees!! 😀
November 14, 2014
Wow, those nutella puff pasteries look incredible. She could open up her own bakery with those alone.
November 14, 2014
LOL I love buttered bread too! I love it with spreads, jams, fresh blueberries! My absolute favorite thing to eat though – is even stranger, sauces … I LOVE all sauces! Great photos on this post! Love it
November 14, 2014
@Joely, it’s the simple pleasures, right?!
November 14, 2014
Indeed Andi! Your post also inspired me to go find my Joy Of Cooking cookbook too lol
November 14, 2014
@Joely, oldie but goodie!
November 14, 2014
Nazia has such a great personality! I’m not the biggest fan of cooking (luckily my boyfriend is) but I might have to get over that for those nutella and banana pastries. Yum!
November 14, 2014
@Caitlin, I hear you (my hubby does all the cooking) but how can we possibly wreck a 3-item dish?!
November 16, 2014
Thanks Caitlin! And the pastries are effortless – I hope you’ll give them a go! 🙂
November 14, 2014
Those cupcakes are beautiful and that mac n’ cheese looks very dangerous and delicious!!!!! I love her story, thanks for sharing!
November 14, 2014
@Heather, so glad you enjoyed it! Sorry for making the pregnant lady hungry!
November 14, 2014
I really, really shouldn’t have read this post while I was hungry. All of Nazia’s pictures are gorgeous, and the food looks SO good. I’m not a very good (or original) cook, but I CAN follow a recipe–I’ll be trying those hand pies very soon. 🙂
November 14, 2014
@Natalie, the pies seem to me a definite winner!
November 14, 2014
What a great story! Those cupcakes look so beautiful. I wish I was talented enough to come up with my own recipes
November 14, 2014
@Julie, Nazia is super talented! The cupcakes are gorgeous. My hubby loves Earl Grey so I know he would love these!
November 14, 2014
I just love learning about other bloggers. This Nutella Puff Pastries are making my mouth water.
November 14, 2014
@Valerie, I hear you! I should have never allowed her to post that photo without a warning!
November 14, 2014
Gorgeous! The food looks amazing!
November 14, 2014
OH my gosh, This pregnant woman should have stayed away from this post! Look at all that food!!! YUM
November 14, 2014
@Melissa, I know I should develop a warning sticker!
November 14, 2014
Or you could just make it for me, lol!!! I’m seriously going to have to make some of these things!
November 14, 2014
@Melissa, good plan!
November 14, 2014
Not only intrigued by Nazia’s baking but also her beauty. Wow, those chocolate brown eyes are beautiful!
November 14, 2014
@Laurie, I know aren’t they gorgeous!
November 14, 2014
She is stunning. Very beautiful blog, too, and I loved her list of favorite blogs. I swear, if I could make food that beautiful, I’d ditch Generation X and become a food blogger!!
November 14, 2014
@Jen, I hear you! I was so pleased with her selections, I had not heard of any of them and I loved every one of them. I even included one as part of my Saturday Six post, that is why I love doing these series – I still discover something new every week!
November 14, 2014
Oh my everything looks so good and those cupcakes are so cute.
November 14, 2014
I love that she makes these amazing dishes but loves to eat something so simple!
November 15, 2014
@Stefany, pretty interesting, right? Have you ever made a huge meal and then wasn’t really all that interested in eating it? Sometimes that happens when I cook, maybe because I have been tasting along the way and I am no longer hungry/interested!
November 14, 2014
Oh my! You made my hungry stomach grumble talking about those.
November 14, 2014
Wow Nazia’s photography is just beautiful!! I really need to learn (and have the patience) to take great photos!
November 15, 2014
What wonderful cupcakes! I’m sure they taste delicious.
November 15, 2014
I love cream cheese frosting! The cupcakes look amazing. Great Post!
November 15, 2014
3 words: Nutella. Banana. Pastry.
That will be on the menu tomorrow morning! Done.
November 15, 2014
@Michelle, pretty awesome, right?
November 15, 2014
Oh my goodness that baked macaroni and cheese recipe – looks so good! What a talented cook!
November 16, 2014
I have to say I do love the idea of interviewing other bloggers. And yes cream cheese frosting IS the bomb! I like eggs too. 🙂
November 16, 2014
@Joely, I am so glad you think so, it is a great way to meet other bloggers.
November 16, 2014
wow Nutella pastry pies sounds so yummy for nutella lovers like me! and i often have to struggle with the indoor lighting issues =(
November 16, 2014
Her mac and cheese looks delicious! Going to have to try her recipe.
November 16, 2014
A great interview! My favorite comfort food is macaroni and cheese too!
November 16, 2014
I absolutely love this interview! Im definitely going to be checking out her blog right now!
November 16, 2014
OMG Andi…I think I gained 10 pounds just looking at these pics! I really enjoyed reading this interview…Nazia seems like a great person to be around…full of positive energy!
November 16, 2014
Yummm… now I am craving some mac n cheese 🙂
November 17, 2014
Those chili cheese fries looked amazing. I’ll blame you if I gain a ton of weight now haha.
November 17, 2014
OMGosh the photos, you just made me sooooo hungry!
November 17, 2014
Oooh, that Mac & Cheese and that cheese cake! Nazia’s photos are stunning!
November 17, 2014
I always love reading about the bloggers you highlight- keep these posts coming!
November 18, 2014
Nazia sounds awesome and super-talented! Impressed that she has already evolved her cooking and journaling passion as she has, and is now creating her own recipes that sound and look absolutely delicious. I see a cookbook author in the works!
xo,
lauriel
EyeForElegance.com
November 19, 2014
Her food looks insane. Those Nutella things?! I want them delivered to me asap. What the heck, that was like food porn all the way. I need to pin every single on. Thanks for sharing!
November 20, 2014
Nazia is very inspiring. 🙂
November 20, 2014
Those look so good. I try to cook. Try. I baked bread rolls yesterday and that didn’t go well.
November 23, 2014
Scrumptious food & pics!