Kris Jenkins serves as the contributing Food Editor to Athletes Quarterly Magazine. In each issue of AQ, Kris shares original recipes for some his favorite homemade meals.
All football players like to eat and I'm certainly no different. But my real passion lies in cooking.
I began cooking at an early age. My younger brother Cullen (Defensive Tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles) and I were raised by a single father who worked long hours so I had to be creative in the kitchen. I knew that it was up to me to learn the tools of the trade and put some decent food on the table for the all of us. Because money at home was tight, available ingredients were limited so I had to be resourceful with what was in front of me.
As it was with football, success with cooking didn't come overnight. I began with the basics like boiling pasta and hot dogs and slowly worked my way up to preparing the standard meat and potatoes. These foods eventually got bland so I began experimenting with different seasonings and flavors. Before long, I was putting together my own version of meals like stir fry and red beans and rice.
As a graduate of the University of Maryland, I have a love for all things seafood, especially fresh crab and just about anything that can be caught off the shores of the mid-Atlantic. My favorite dish to make is my seafood fettuccini, which combines shrimp, scallops and lobster with ingredients like peppers, mushrooms and truffle butter. My other specialty is the omelet. My former teammates have always enjoyed my omelet because they're BIG and filled with lots of protein such as chicken and usually some vegetables like spinach - perfect for a large athlete.
Today, I enjoy cooking all types of meals for my family and friends - I actually find it relaxing. Check out some of the stories and segments about my cooking above, including my demonstration at the ESPN Zone in Times Square and my appearance on Food Network's "Worst Cooks in America" where I hosted a Gameday Party catered by the contestants. I'll be posting new recipes and features here so remember to check-in to see what's cooking!
Remember, when it comes to cooking and preparing food, KEEP IT FRESH AND STAY CREATIVE!
