Bearly Edible is a recipe, entertaining and kitchen tips blog. The explosion of blogs and social networking sites has taken the internet to a new dimension over the past few years. It only seemed fitting that there be a community for gay bearish men who love to cook and entertain. The contributors of this site identify themselves as members and friends of the bear community.
We sat down with the man behind Bearly Edible – Chef Tom
The Complete Bear - How did you get started?
Bearly Edible – Well, I have always liked to cook; I come from an ethnic family where my mom, dad and grandmother were great cooks. From young age I always liked to cook. As I grew up, Ii took numerous cooking classes whenever I could. Most of my bear friends know me as a great chef and I cook a lot for dinners and parties.
I am always the one to have my recipes requested a lot. So, I began a personal blog at a pal's urging and liked it.
The Complete Bear – What is your style?
Bearly Edible - I am a fan of home cooking and also low fat. Sometimes those are at odds, but I like lightening those comfort foods to be healthier. I am a fan of Greek and Italian dishes. The recipe blog started at a friend’s urging at a party.
We talked about doing a bear recipe blog where all the bear friends who come to our card and game nights could contribute. I wanted a winter project, so I taught myself Wordpress, and a friend Jason did a logo for me.
The Complete Bear - Do you cook all the recipes?
Bearly Edible – Yes, I never post a recipe I haven’t tried. 2 1/2 yrs ago I had a heart attack, during my recovery from bypass surgery I decided to organize my favorite recipes. I have over 100 cookbooks; I had many recipe boxes, many on pc and many binders from cooking classes. I organized them into a cookbook with over 250 recipes and gave them to friends for Xmas.
The Complete Bear – Do you cook healthier? Less butters and cream?
Bearly Edible – Well, the creams and butters - I replace when I can, but am careful not to take away too much that it might affect the taste. I have some interesting techniques to cut them though. In soups rather than sautéing onions celery and veggies in butter or oil, I use small amts of chicken broth to sauté adding just enough to sauté and not steam. It really works. You can also thicken most soups with non-fat refried beans and not a butter and flour roux . Also, it’s simple to just replace most oil when baking with 1/2 applesauce and 1/2 oil. Yep, don't sacrifice taste and texture. Too much applesauce and you do.
The Complete Bear - What does husbear think of healthier choices?
Bearly Edible - Well he supports. Actually, it’s important to him - he lost almost 100 pounds on a low fat diet. Then 18 months ago, he had gastric bypass and now must eat low fat and low sugar - he was 365 and is now 180. So, I love comfort food but know I need to alter recipes for both of our health. But, I love to make something high fat and sugar when I cook for a group on special occasions. It’s all about balancing the diet.
The Complete Bear - How long have you guys been together?
Bearly Edible - 18 years.
The Complete Bear - Any secrets for lasting 18 years?
Bearly Edible – LOL - I was going to say good cooking that’s how we both gained the weight. He always blamed me for good cooking, but I think the key is to keep it fresh and surround yourself with good friends.
The Complete Bear – What is your favorite recipe?
Bearly Edible - Mmm favorite recipe – I would have to say my mother's chicken paprikas with finger dumplings. It reminds me of my youth and family and it tastes so good and is so easy to make.
The Complete Bear - So your mom taught you to cook?
Bearly Edible - Yep, the typical gay son. I hung out in the kitchen and not on the football field. She was an excellent cook. A true 50s-60s wife, who cooked full dinners every night.
I blog because I love to cook and although I am not a professional, I wanted to share the recipes I had.
