Allie Hagerty, a renowned Hingham food blogger and recipe creator, has captured the hearts of food enthusiasts with her hand-crafted cocktails and delicious recipes. Through a chance encounter, Marisa Olsen was introduced to Allie's mouthwatering blog, Seasoned & Salted, and has since been following her culinary adventures. In this article, we delve into Allie's life, her favorite cuisines, and her tips for feeding picky children. Plus, she shares a delicious Thanksgiving recipe that will surely impress.

Uncover the Secrets of Allie Hagerty's Seasoned & Salted

Allie's Encounter with Julia Child

Allie's father is a second-generation fishmonger in Boston, and Julia Child was a regular customer at his store, Fresh Pond Seafood. One day, Allie's mom brought her to meet Julia, and the famous chef couldn't resist holding the little one. It was a memorable moment that Allie still cherishes. Although there was no camera handy at the time, it remains a special story in her life.This encounter with Julia Child not only added a touch of history to Allie's life but also inspired her to pursue her passion for food. It showed her the power of food and the connections it can create.

The Birth of Seasoned & Salted

Allie's family and friends often asked for her recipes after she shared the delicious dinners she made for her boyfriend (now husband). She started a blog as a way to document her recipes, little did she know that it would turn into something much bigger. Today, Seasoned & Salted is a popular destination for food lovers around the world, with her recipes inspiring others to get creative in the kitchen.Allie's dedication to her blog and her willingness to share her culinary expertise have made Seasoned & Salted a success. She continues to create new and exciting recipes that keep her readers coming back for more.

SEO Success and Work-Life Balance

In August 2023, just four weeks postpartum with her daughter Charlotte, Allie was laid off from her full-time job. But she didn't let this setback stop her. She turned to her blog and taught herself SEO strategies, which led to a remarkable increase in her monthly views from 750 to 100,000 in just eight months.Balancing a full-time job, a food blog, freelance food photography, and a family is no easy feat. Allie was diagnosed with ADHD at a young age and has learned to focus on one thing at a time. When she's at work, she gives her full attention to her human resources work. When she's at home with her daughter, she focuses on her. And when her daughter is asleep, she works on her blog and other projects. She also has an amazing husband who supports her and understands her long-term goals.Allie believes that taking care of herself is essential, so she aims for 8 hours of sleep every night and never passes up a cookie or a brownie. She knows that by taking care of herself, she can be a better wife, mother, and food blogger.

Allie's Favorite Cuisines and Meals

When it comes to cooking, Italian cuisine is Allie's favorite. She knows it inside out and can create delicious Italian dishes with ease. But when it comes to takeout, Thai food is her go-to. Her favorite meal is a traditional steakhouse dinner with a filet mignon, shrimp cocktail, killer sides, and an icy dirty martini with hand-stuffed blue cheese olives.In addition to Italian and Thai cuisine, Allie also loves her Goat Cheese Crostini, Lobster Cakes, and Pumpkin Soup with Tortellini and Sausage. These dishes showcase her versatility and creativity in the kitchen.

Allie's Go-to Snack

When Allie is in the mood for something salty, she makes olive oil-popped popcorn on the stove and tops it with flaky salt. But if she's craving chocolate, she loves a homemade chocolate chip cookie. She always keeps her homemade dough in the freezer so she can make a single cookie in a snap. Currently, she is obsessed with her olive oil chocolate chip cookies, which will be shared on her new website, "One Bowl Bakery," in January.Allie's snacks are a reflection of her love for simple and delicious treats that can be made at home. They are the perfect accompaniment to her busy life.

Tips for Feeding Picky Children

Allie believes that it's important to offer children different foods every day and to repeat them in different ways. For example, she might give her toddler green beans whole or cut, depending on what she prefers. She also focuses on different colors and textures on her child's plate to make mealtime more interesting.Allie approaches feeding her toddler without any preconceived notions about kid food versus adult food. She knows that children don't know any better at this age and will try anything. The most important thing is to make mealtime a fun and relaxed experience.

Life in Hingham/South Shore

Allie grew up on the North Shore but now considers living in Hingham a dream. She loves the tight-knit community and the amazing local businesses. People like Victoria Donnolly of Knead Bakery, Sean McDaniels of Salty Days, and Courtney Doyle of Clandestine Kitchen inspire her. And let's not forget the Fruit Center, the best grocery store in the world, and the Hingham Farmers Market. It's a foodie heaven for Allie.Living in Hingham has given Allie the opportunity to explore different cuisines and local ingredients. She is grateful for the food scene in her community and loves sharing it with others.

Thanksgiving Recipe: Croissant Stuffing with Sausage, Herbs, and Dried Cranberries

This Thanksgiving, Allie is sharing her delicious Croissant Stuffing with Sausage, Herbs, and Dried Cranberries. The ingredients include 8 large croissants torn into bite-sized pieces (slightly stale is best for texture), 1 lb Italian sausage with casings removed, 1 large onion diced, 3 celery stalks diced, 2-3 garlic cloves minced, 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 1 tbsp fresh rosemary finely chopped, 1 tbsp fresh thyme finely chopped, 1 tbsp fresh sage finely chopped, 1/2 cup dried cranberries, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, and 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth.Instructions:Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the torn croissant pieces onto a baking sheet and toast them in the oven for 8-10 minutes until they are a little crispy. Set them aside.In a large skillet, cook the sausage over medium heat, breaking it up with a spatula until it is browned. Transfer the sausage to a bowl and leave the fat in the pan as it adds flavor.Add the butter to the same skillet and melt it. Throw in the onion, celery, and garlic and cook for 5-7 minutes until the veggies are soft and fragrant.Stir in the rosemary, thyme, and sage and cook for a minute to release their flavors. Then add the salt and pepper.In a large mixing bowl, combine the toasted croissants, cooked sausage, sautéed vegetables, and dried cranberries. Pour in the broth and gently toss everything together. Add the beaten eggs and mix until everything is nicely coated but not soggy.Transfer the stuffing to a greased baking dish, cover it with foil, and bake for 25 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes until the top is golden and crispy.This croissant stuffing is a delicious addition to any Thanksgiving table and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.