The Empire That Is Gaines

Almost everyone knows Chip and Joanna Gaines.They are the mavericks and mavens behind an empire that covers all aspects of home life. They have furnishings, and design , restaurants and cookbooks. They have made a kingdom out of the ordinary and a following that is legendary. Yet a good portion of the population can relate to them. Their advice , especially when it comes to cooking, is , homey and comforting - just what we need right now.

Julia Moskin, chief writer for the New York Times Food section, explored this American phenomena. For those who love HGTV and home remodeling shows, Chip and Joanna are part of their lives. The couple started out renovating homes on their seven year old show "Fixer Upper", then expanded their Magnolia brand to include everything from cookbooks to house paints. They also have a magazine along with a brand at Target (which does have some nice items- perfect for you or gift giving) that covers a gamut of household needs. They also expanded their food and cooking to cool bakery called Silos built in what else - a silo.Their other restaurant, Magnolia Table features classic Texas farmhouse fare as well as trendy new ideas such as avocado toast.. The last caused a debate between the usually copacetic couple. He thought it was too hip, she thought it would fit in perfectly. It did. Magnolia has a following with a menu fans and food lovers can relate to. There are traditional bacon and biscuit breakfasts alongside freshly squeezed juice blends.

Joanna Gaines also has an interesting background. Her mother is Korean while her father is Lebanese American. The couple met when her father was stationed in South Korea in 1969. They married in Las Vegas in 1972 and settled in Wichita, Kansas where Ms Gaines was born. Her mother Nan, who was 19 when she moved here didn't know much about cooking , even her own kind, and began cooking with ground beef. There was beef Stroganoff and meat sauce. It was only after her mother came did Ms. Gaines finally eat bulgoki and homemade seaweed soup. She tried mandoo, kimchi dumplings when she lived in New York City. She enjoyed being there, working at CBS and sharing food with Korean friends. Yet she wanted to cook the dishes her childhood friends ate. She perfected the recipe s for chocolate chip cookies (which you can buy at Silo) and buttermilk biscuits, Her cookbooks are not as aspirational as they are inspirational. Her recipes in the article are homey  - perfect for now. There are scratch brownies with a peanut butter and marshmallow fudge icing along with sour cream enchiladas. A tasty bake is her kale and bacon hash brown casserole that has both fresh ingredients - kale - and frozen  - hash browns. All of her recipe books have good homey recipes - great for the whole family cooking and eating together.

Chip and Joanna Gaines have an empire. Yet that empire is relateable , with cookbooks that feature comforting and rib sticking dishes. They're what we need right now, both the Gainses and their idea of a cozy home and kitchen.