With the fall season fully upon us and warm, inviting comfort foods finding their way into every home,  there’s no better time to get behind the stove and get cooking. And apparently, there’s no better person to talk with about cozy comfort foods for a good cause than Kelly Ripa!

I had the pleasure of interviewing Kelly about her family life, food indulgences, favorite Thanksgiving meals and more. However, she was also more than happy to enlighten me on her partnership with Electrolux® in promoting their “Search for America’s Favorite Comfort Food” campaign, where just a simple vote can go a long way for Ovarian Cancer Research and also possibly win you a shiny new Electrolux® oven!

I encourage you to join the fun by visiting www.Kelly-Confidential.com and voting for or sharing your favorite fall comfort food. In exchange for your vote, Electrolux® will donate $1 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund as part of its now $1,000,000 commitment to the cause.

Participants who vote or share can also enter for a chance to win an Electrolux Induction Cooktop™ that is not only energy efficient but also boils water in 90 seconds! With the ability to boil water that fast, you can cook up your favorite comfort foods in no time! While I could only imagine all the tasty meals and sweet treats I could create with this oven, Kelly was busy whipping up her famous macaroni and cheese in no time flat thanks to her Electrolux® Induction Range.

To read my interview with Kelly, where she covers everything from her favorite foods and family to her dedication to the cause of ovarian cancer research, please click below. To get involved in the campaign, please visit www.Kelly-Confidential.com, where you can share your favorite comfort food, have Electrolux® donate a dollar on your behalf to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, and potentially win a new Electrolux® oven!

Talking Comfort Food with Kelly Ripa

Q (Georgia): First of all, I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time out to talk with me about comfort food. I’ve been a fan of your show for a while now, but until recently didn’t realize that you were a big foodie. It’s always nice to hear of another person who appreciates good food and sharing it with family!
A (Kelly): Yes, taking the time to cook, bake and enjoy a good meal with my family is very important to me. In today’s society, and especially given our fast paced lifestyle in New York City, it’s not always easy to get everyone around the table for dinner but we do try to be consistent about making family time a priority, even if it means scheduling!

Q: What are the comfort foods that evoke strong memories of your childhood, and what has been your most memorable comfort food meal as an adult?
A: Some of my best comfort food memories as a child and adult were of Thanksgiving. We would enjoy the most buttery, creamy mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and roasted turkey, and the house would smell amazing as it all cooked! My mother-in-law is also amazingly talented in the kitchen, especially when it comes to combining unique flavors.

Q: When you cook for your family, do you like to involve your children in the kitchen?
A: Yes, my children love to help cook and spend time in the kitchen. Encouraging a child’s interest in food and cooking really fosters their creativity, and the adults always end up learning a thing or two in the process!

Q: How do you keep weeknight meals easy, healthy and satisfying to everyone in your family?
A: I tend to make a large amount and variety of dishes on weekends, in preparation for the week ahead. I’ll freeze the meals and then serve them during the week, so having a meal on the table for my family during the weekday is really very quick and simple.

Q: Since you like to stay healthy and fit, how do you battle your comfort food cravings when you need to look your best?
A: I believe you should enjoy everything in moderation. I don’t over indulge, stay away from sweets, and exercise everyday.

Q: For a dinner party with friends or family, what are your favorite meals to prepare?
A: Well, one of my favorite Electrolux® appliances is my oven, which can make the most mouthwatering slow-roasted, falling-off-the-bone piece of meat, and the aroma permeating through the house is incredible! The oven has Luxury-Glide® racks and an induction cooktop that boils water in 90 seconds, which is great for making my favorite macaroni and cheese.

Q: Thank you for taking the time to talk with me about comfort food and enjoying simple, satisfying meals with your family. In closing, what more can you tell me about Electrolux’s partnership with the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund?
Electrolux® and I are inviting your readers to vote for and share their favorite comfort foods at www.Kelly-Confidential.com or www.Facebook.com/Electrolux. Every time you vote or share, Electrolux® will donate $1 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, plus they will be entered for a chance to win an Electrolux® oven with an induction cooktop. Happy voting, everyone!