Gina Neely is the star of the hit Food Network show Down Home With The Neely’s, which she co-hosts along with her husband, Patrick. They were discovered back in 2006 when they were featured on the network’s show Road Tasted, when Pat was featured cooking Gina’s signature BBQ.
Follow Productions executive producer, Mark Schneider, spoke to the couple about a new show for them and they worked together for a period of time before their cooking show made its way on air. To date, the show remains the network’s top rated program.
The couple has been on many Food Network programs such as Best Thing I Ever Ate and Next Food Network Star. Along with a cookbook with the same name of their program, multiple talk show appearances, and magazine features, Pat and Gina Neely have been embraced in the spotlight.
Recently, Gina Neely teamed up with Green Giant to promote the ‘Fresh Takes on what to Make’ campaign after a 2014 survey found that parents were not putting vegetables on dinner plates every night, even though they found it was important to include vegetables. The campaign is aimed to promote tips and recipes that encourage healthy eating. You can find recipes from Neely on Green Giant’s website.
TheCelebrityCafe.com spoke with Neely about her newest campaign and her tips on promoting healthy eating.
TheCelebrityCafe.com: How did you begin working in the food industry?
Gina Neely: I started out on the Food Network with Down Home With The Neelys and a segment with Bobby and Jimmy Deen on Road Tasted. They were looking for products that you could ship, we were shipping barbecue sauce. And that’s how we came about. The producer was observing me and asked us if we wanted to do our own show. I thought he was joking and he wasn’t. Lo and behold we did a pilot and the show has been the highest rated show in network history.
TheCelebrityCafe.com: Working with your husband on the show Down Home With The Neelys, you two have great chemistry together. Do you feel that natural chemistry between you has helped to make your collaboration on both the show and in your restaurant a success?
Gina Neely: Yeah, I mean the good thing about Patrick and I is we’ve always been really, really good friends and at the end of the day, when you sort of have that as a foundation, you can work together and get along, and we’ve always been great business partners. It works really well.
TheCelebrityCafe.com: You recently teamed up with Green Giant Frozen Steamers in an effort to create meal plans that include vegetables that are often forgotten. What was the process that led you to becoming involved with this campaign for ‘Fresh Take on What to Make?’
Gina Neely: Well, Green Giant sort of reached out to me, which is really great because we’re both on a healthy, nutritious kick now. It was more like I feel a blessing for me because it was a natural transgression because I sort of moved in that area of wanting to eat better, create a better lifestyle, and a more healthier lifestyle, so it was just a natural fit. And I was glad to become a part of it.
TheCelebrityCafe.com: What surprised you the most when you discovered the results of the 2014 Fresh Takes on What To Make survey that parents were leaving out vegetables when 83% felt it was important to have them at dinner?
Gina Neely: Yes, I was really shocked. I read that two times because it was highlighted in my notes. I could not believe people are not eating more vegetables. I have always been a big vegetable eater, and I guess it grew with my grandmother. We had a garden and were always exposed to vegetables very early, but I can understand too, when you have parents who are working and running hectic schedules, try to figure it out and if I can be any assistance to try to help you to be better, or eat better, then I definitely want to participate in that, so vegetables are must. You just can’t go through life without vegetables. You just can not do it. But I did find that survey very alarming. And disheartening to a certain degree.
TheCelebrityCafe.com: Many children are picky eaters and it may be difficult to get them to eat vegetables. What are your ideas on how to add vegetables to meal plans in an effort to get kids to eat nutritious foods?
Gina Neely: You have to sort of make it fun for them. I always suggest having kids come in the kitchen with you. If kids cook with you and participate with you, to me that makes them more apt to eat the food. They feel like they made the dish, they want to taste it, it’s special, it’s an effort. Invite them in the kitchen and letting them help out. Making them feel like part of a process in it, so just bringing them in and including them. Like if they like cheese, add cheese to the vegetable, maple syrup and carrots, just a little drizzle. Or finger foods, kids love finger foods, they love to pick up food with their fingers. I think sometimes we overthink it when it comes to making vegetables or cooking vegetables. Just let them have a good time with it.
TheCelebrityCafe.com: With a successful show, your restaurant, and your newest campaign, how do you balance all of the roles you have including wife and mother, and your family being healthy as well?
Gina Neely: Well, I think for me since I’ve always had a busy lifestyle, I try to take out a little time for me, and exercise, and do things that are good for me, because if I’m not good then I can’t extend that out to my family. I’m empty nesting now, so my girls, I’ve kind of passed that onto them. We’re all about the healthy kick and having a good time with it. You know it comes to the point in our lives as mothers, we wear so many hats and do so many things for so many people, that you have to take some time for yourself. Also include the family into that process and make it a family event. You can just go walking together, eating together, doing fun things together, and exercise together. Togetherness brings about the togetherness.
TheCelebrityCafe.com: What are some of your favorite spices to use in recipes?
Gina Neely: I like to use garlic, curry powder, it’s very good when I did stir fry. Cilantro, you can mix it up, sage, it all depends on what you’re cooking with, but just play with your spices. If you have a particular spice that you like, just try it on there. Sprinkle it on there and see how you like it.
TheCelebrityCafe.com: What are your tips for balancing healthy eating when there may not be enough time for parents to make dinners on school nights?
Gina Neely: Well, that’s when you want to do leftovers. If you do rotisserie chicken on a Sunday night, save that chicken and maybe put it in a chicken pot pie, a chicken divine, just using leftovers, things that are already on hand, prepared sauces, dough, anything like that that you can pull out really quick. The steamers are great for that. Anything that’s quick, but you can still put a healthy spin on it. And make it more nutritious, yes.
TheCelebrityCafe.com: What is an important take-a-way you want parents to have when it comes to making time for healthy dinners?
Gina Neely: I think the best thing is to plan ahead. Always try to have preparation. When you plan ahead, you don’t get overwhelmed or it doesn’t get really crazy for you. Make that list, try to do it on Saturday or Sunday or whatever free day you have, and plan out your meals for the week. That way you have it all laid out. You have all the ingredients that you need and so that way when it comes time to do it, you get it all together, and there’s no thought process to it.
TheCelebrityCafe.com: Thank you so much for your time speaking to us. Do you have any other projects in the works or is this new campaign your main focus?
Gina Neely: Right now, I’m just concentrating on Green Giant and making sure I get this message out so our kids and our families can eat healthy, have nutritious meals, so parents won’t have to be stressed out, have fun cooking, and get the family back together in the kitchen. That’s my focus right now.
If you want to hear more of Gina’s great tips and meal ideas, join her Google+ Hangout with Green Giant on Tuesday 9/23 at 8pm ET here: http://bit.ly/1pkEbnY
[new page = Gina's Green Giant Recipes]
This family friendly favorite is made quick and easy with the use of frozen vegetables. Lots of flavor and little effort!
Gina’s Beef Vegetable Medley Stir Fry
Prep Time: 20 Min
Start to Finish: 20 Min
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lb beef flank steak, cut into 1/4 inch strips
1 (12 oz) package Green Giant™ Steamers™ Garden Vegetable Medley
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
2 cups cooked brown rice
1. Heat oil in 10-inch skillet over medium high heat. Add beef and stir fry until browned, about 3 to 5 minutes. Meanwhile, microwave vegetable medley as directed on package.
2. Add vegetables and teriyaki sauce to beef mixture; cook 1 to 2 minutes until thoroughly heated. Serve over brown rice.
4 servings
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Tips: Brown rice is now available precooked or in quick cook form, taking only minutes to prepare.
To add a little heat to the dish, try spicy ginger Teriyaki sauce in place of regular Teriyaki sauce.
[ new page=Gina's Pork with Honey Roasted Sweet Corn Salsa ]
This flavor-packed meal has a little Southwestern flair and is family friendly at the same time.
Gina's Pork with Honey Roasted Sweet Corn Salsa
Prep Time: 20 Min
Start to Finish: 20 Min
1 lb pork tenderloin, cut into 1/4 inch thick strips
2 teaspoons mesquite or Southwestern meat seasoning
1 (11 oz) package Green Giant™ Steamers™ honey roasted sweet corn
3/4 cup Old El Paso™ thick 'n chunky salsa
1 (11 oz) package Old El Paso™ flour tortillas for burritos (7 inch)
1. In 10-inch nonstick skillet, add pork and seasoning; cook 4 to 5 minutes over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Meanwhile, cook corn as directed on package.
2. In medium bowl, mix corn and salsa. Heat tortillas as directed on package. Fill tortillas with pork and corn mixture.
4 servings
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Tip: Add a little variety and fun to your meal, serve with guacamole, sour cream and crumbled queso fresco cheese.
Check out the variety of meat seasonings now available in the herb/spice section of your grocery store.
Garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired.
[ new page=Gina’s Quick 'n Easy Chicken Pot Pies ]
These individual-sized chicken pot pies, are easy to throw together for a quick dinner.
Gina’s Quick 'n Easy Chicken Pot Pies
Prep Time: 5 Min
Start to Finish: 20 Min
1 (10.2 oz) can Pillsbury™ Grands™ Homestyle Buttermilk Biscuits (5 count)
1 (12 oz) package Green Giant™ Steamers™ broccoli, carrots, cauliflower and cheese sauce
2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
2 tablespoons chicken broth
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1. Heat oven to 375° F. Microwave vegetables as directed on package.
2. Meanwhile, roll out each biscuit into a 5-inch circle. Press one biscuit into each cup of a 6 cup jumbo muffin pan overlapping top edge of pan.
3. Divide chicken evenly into biscuit-lined cups. Top each until vegetable mixture. Sprinkle each with Parmesan cheese.
4. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Loosen edges with metal spatula to remove pot pies from pan.
5 servings
1 Serving: Calories nc (Calories from Fat nc); Total Fat nc (Saturated Fat nc, Trans Fat nc); Cholesterol nc; Sodium nc; Total Carbohydrate nc (Dietary Fiber nc, Sugars nc); Protein nc
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Tip: Serve pot pies with a fresh, green salad and a side of fruit to complete your family meal.
Don't have leftover chicken? Precooked rotisserie chicken is readily available in the deli section of grocery stores, and adds to the ease of this meal.
Don't have a jumbo muffin tin? Use individual ramekins instead.
[ new page=Gina’s White Pizza with Sweet Corn and Bacon ]
A fresh and healthy take on pizza night. A flavorful combination your whole family will enjoy.
Gina’s White Pizza with Sweet Corn and Bacon
Prep Time: 20 Min
Start to Finish: 20 Min
1 (11 oz) can Pillsbury™ Thin Crust pizza dough
1/2 cup prepared Alfredo sauce
1 (11 oz) package Green Giant™ Steamers™ Honey Roasted Sweet Corn
3/4 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup shredded Italian blend cheese
1/3 cup cooked bacon, chopped (about 4 slices)
1. Heat oven to 425° F. Unroll and press dough into greased 15x10x1 inch pan. Bake for 5 minutes and remove from oven. Meanwhile, cook corn as directed on package.
2. Spread sauce over crust. Top crust with corn, cherry tomatoes, cheese and bacon. Bake for 6 to 10 minutes until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown.
4 servings
1 Serving: Calories nc (Calories from Fat nc); Total Fat nc (Saturated Fat nc, Trans Fat nc); Cholesterol nc; Sodium nc; Total Carbohydrate nc (Dietary Fiber nc, Sugars nc); Protein nc
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Tip: Precooked bacon is readily available in grocery stores. Just chop and it's ready to go.
Serve with a side of Sriracha sauce to add a spicy kick to your pizza.
[ new page=Gina’s Chicken Divine ]
This classic chicken casserole is ready to eat in 20 minutes!
Gina’s Chicken Divine
Prep Time: 20 Min
Start to Finish: 20 Min
2 (12 oz each) packages Green Giant Steamers frozen cheesy rice & broccoli
2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
1 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons curry powder
1 cup kettle chips, crushed
1. Prepare both packages of broccoli as directed on package. In large bowl, mix rice and broccoli, chicken, sour cream and curry until combined.
2. Place 1 1/2 quart microwave safe casserole dish. Cover with plastic wrap; microwave on high 4 to 5 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle crushed chips over top of casserole.
4 servings
1 Serving: Calories nc (Calories from Fat nc); Total Fat nc (Saturated Fat nc, Trans Fat nc); Cholesterol nc; Sodium nc; Total Carbohydrate nc (Dietary Fiber nc, Sugars nc); Protein nc
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Exchanges: nc
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Rotisserie chicken is readily available in the deli section of the grocery store. It makes prep for this dish extra easy.
Tip: Try topping with sliced almonds or raisins as an alternative to crushed potato chips.
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