21 Nov gigi pascual.

los angeles, california.  |   flavor combo specialist. breakfast lover. founder of buttermilk, inc.

This amazing woman started her small business in an L.A. food truck. Now, her products can be found at SurLa Table and Amazon. I am grateful she took time to join the j. jane conversation.

If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be?

Life is not linear, yet full of different experiences, opportunities, and setbacks. Each of these collectively create and shape us. Take the experience good and bad and learn from them, absorb relationships and knowledge and know that where you are is exactly where you are suppose to be.

Would you share one of your favorite Thanksgiving recipes?

Here is an awesome dessert and can be assembled by each individual in the kitchen or dining table. Waffle iron needed. Red Velvet Waffle Ice Cream Sandwiches using Buttermilk Inc Red Velvet Pancake Mix: Available at your nearest Bristol Farms, Sur La Table, West Elm Market, Surfas, or Amazon, or Opensky.com

 Red Velvet Waffles

• 1 cup mix
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 4 tbsp melted butter
• ½ cup milk or buttermilk
• 2 eggs separated
• 2 tbsp sugar (for egg whites)

Melt Butter and set aside. Mix Red Velvet mix and cornstarch. Separate eggs and whisk egg whites with the 2 tbsp sugar until medium peaks form. Mix dry ingredients with the melted butter, 2 egg yolks, milk and fold in medium peak egg whites. Let set in refrigerator for 10 minutes before using on waffle iron. Cut waffle into quarters and sandwich your favorite ice cream in between two waffles. ENJOY!

What is the best advice you ever received in the world of cooking?

Parchment Paper is your friend. It can be used to line baking sheets and pans, piping bags, steam veggies, and so many more applications!

What is your best advice on how to be a graceful chef & host on Thanksgiving Day?

Lots of recipes can be prepped ahead of time so cooking the day of remains manageable. Whether that means chopping veggies the night before, cooking, setting in the fridge, then heating slowly in the oven until dinner service or taking some help from relatives or a local store, by asking them to bring dessert or appetizers to help with the cooking load. Also ask family to come early and help in the kitchen. After all it is a family affair, a time to enjoy each others company. Do not feel like you have to do it all yourself, as the day will be pulled from underneath you. Enjoy Cooking and Baking!

j. jane side notes:

To learn more about Gigi’s amazing journey from a Los Angeles Food Truck into households across America, you may visit her online. Also, visit the following locations to ship GiGi’s sweet treats to your door step this holiday season:

• Buttermilk Red Velvet Pancake Mix at  Sur La Table
• Buttermilk Ube Purple Yam Pancake Mix at Amazon
• The Ube is known as a super food. (Who knew?) Learn more about the healthy Ube Yam.