Humble.  That is perhaps the best word I can use to describe LeAnn Rice, Recipe Contributor for SeaShine Online Magazine.  LeAnn is talented, yes!  She is filled with joy, and she is more than “good” at all she puts her hands to.  But, as you’ll see below, LeAnn recognizes her own shortcomings and knows Who fills in her gaps, so to speak, when she simply cannot.  This is, perhaps, what makes this woman so uniquely special and so supernaturally efficient.   It’s her faith, her great loss in life (her late husband) and her love for him, for her son, for her friends and for the Lord that keeps this lady truckin’.  An author of three blogs, a mother to one son, an executive director to an active women’s ministry, a cook for all who’ll eat, a dear friend to those close and an original woman as seen by all — THAT is LeAnn Rice!  And, it is my honor to introduce her to you today.

SS: Tell us a little bit about yourself, LeAnn!  What do you enjoy doing in your spare time and what, do you find, you are most passionate about in life?

LR: Well, on paper I’m a widowed, single-mom of a 16-year-old all-testosterone boy. Spare time? What is that, exactly? I work full time, take care of a kid, a cat, and a house, teach adult Sunday school, sit courtside at Nick’s tennis matches, walk three miles a day, and juggle several “projects” at once. Any spare time is spent creating new recipes to try out on my brave friends who don’t let an occasional oven fire frighten them off! I am most passionate about sharing the hope of Jesus Christ. I can’t imagine how anyone can get through life, especially life’s tragedies, without Him.

SS: Give us a little insight into your educational and professional experience.  Have you always enjoyed cooking?

LR: First, I am definitely not a professional chef, and I have no formal training. Cooking is something that came naturally. The kitchen was always my favorite place to be. I have fond memories of helping my mom make Christmas cookies, and watching with a keen eye as my Italian grandmother made her Sunday sauce. I have always had a passion for preparing food for others and for making the food look pretty on the plate. It’s a love thing! I was a caterer for a while but it wasn’t the same. At that point it was a job instead of a labor of love. There’s just something about presenting a beautiful, lovingly prepared meal or gift to someone you care about, or… to someone who really needs to be cared for.

SS: What gave you the idea to create She Cooks, your new cooking site, and what do you hope is accomplished through the site?

LR: A couple of months ago God woke me up in the middle of the night with a vision for She Cooks. 1 Peter 4:10 says that we are to use the gifts we have been given to serve others. Well, as much as I would like to have the gift of speaking or writing or wisdom or teaching, God gave me the gift of hospitality. Instead of harboring disappointment over my lack of a more “important” gift, God showed me that extending hospitality is a tangible way to share His love and extend grace to family, friends, and to “the least of these.” Nothing warms my heart more than creating a special meal, centerpiece, packaged treat or uniquely wrapped gift for someone who needs a little something special. The reward is in the way the recipient feels. It is my prayer that people will come to She Cooks looking for recipes or party planning ideas, but they will find so much more… they will find the inspiration and resources they need to share His grace with others.

SS: Many of the world’s best cooks and chefs have expressed that cooking an entrée is much different than baking a dessert.  Do you find cooking easier than baking, or visa versa?

LR: To me, cooking isn’t necessarily easier than baking, but it is definitely more fun. Don’t get me wrong, I love to bake and I especially love the smell of anything with cinnamon baking in the oven. But baking is more precise. It’s more about chemistry. When cooking an entrée I can pretty much get as creative as I want, and that’s exciting to me.

SS: What is your favorite thing to make?  And, what is one insider tip you could share with us?!

LR: Ooohhhh… tough question. I’m not sure if I have just one favorite thing to make. I love to take a few fresh ingredients and let their natural flavor shine. Any meat, seafood or peak-season vegetable seasoned simply with extra-virgin olive oil, garlic, and fresh lemon and then grilled JUST ROCKS! Pair with a salad drizzled with homemade vinaigrette and end with dark chocolate covered strawberries and you have my perfect meal. Yum! OK – Here’s an insider tip. (Sshhh… don’t tell anyone) Fresh whipped cream will fall in a few hours, making it impossible to top a pie in advance. When making whipped cream, add one jumbo marshmallow that has been softened in the microwave for ten seconds for every one cup of heavy cream. Add the marshmallow with a few drops of vanilla and a tablespoon or two of powdered sugar as soon as the heavy cream is just about stiff. The marshmallow will stabilize the whipped cream so you can decorate a pie, tart, or trifle in advance and spend time with your guests instead of whipping cream at the last minute!

SS: So, in addition being a wonderful mother, a strong friend, a godly woman, a cook, a baker, and a blogger, you are also the Executive Director of Operations for Proverbs 31 Ministries!  How did you get involved with Proverbs 31?

LR: Gee – I’m not sure who you are talking about, but I would like to meet her! Seriously… Wonderful? Strong? Godly? Perhaps you need to spend a little more time with me? Let’s just say I am continually striving to be these things. Some days I’m more successful than others. I got involved with Proverbs 31 Ministries six years ago when God pushed me, kicking and screaming, in the door. I didn’t feel qualified or worthy then, and I still don’t. But, I have learned that God isn’t looking for qualifications. He is looking for obedient hearts.

SS: Is there something in particular that makes Proverbs 31  Ministries different from other organizations you’ve worked with or encountered?

The Ladies of Proverbs 31 Ministries

LR: Absolutely! I work with the most amazing group of Godly women. We are a family… a sisterhood. We share life together; we pray together; we cry together. And, together, we reach out to other women with God’s peace, perspective and purpose in the midst of their busy lives. I don’t think I can put into words what a blessing it is to be a part of this ministry.

SS: What are some of the most impactful things, events or experiences you’ve encountered during your time with the ministry?

LR: Oh my! How much time do you have? Seriously, there are way too many to mention. I have personally witnessed miracle after miracle. And thousands have invited Jesus into their hearts through our website, speaking events, and daily devotions. It just doesn’t get any better than this!

SS: You have two personal websites/blogs that you currently write and update regularly, and now you’re adding a THIRD?!  How do you balance your time between these efforts, your time with your son, and your time with Proverbs 31?

LR: Hahahahaha. Sorry. You were serious? I’m not so sure I am successful with the whole balance thing. I simply prioritize what’s the most important (actually, I should say who is the most important), and then I do the best I can. At the end of the day it really doesn’t matter if there are dirty dishes in my sink or if a blog didn’t get updated. What matters is that my son knows he is loved unconditionally, and I didn’t turn my back on a friend or someone in need.

SS: When will the She Cooks website launch?  What is the new site’s url?

A Taste of What's to Come!

LR: Thanks for asking! I’m very excited about this new project. Baring any technical glitches, the site will launch on June 25^th, which would have been my husband’s birthday. Special occasions can be difficult when someone you love is gone. Scheduling the launch on his birthday will redirect my focus from what I don’t have to what I do. Ron would have been proud. I would love to have you visit! http://www.SheCooks.org

Be sure to click over now to get LeAnn’s fabulous Lemon Chicken Recipe, pictured above.  YUUUMMM-Y!  And, check back in for more recipes from, LeAnn Rice.

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