The Scottish Mail on Sunday - You
‘I think, “How did my body not fall apart?”’
The country music star, 41, tells Tom Parker Bowles about growing up on Texas barbecue and canned sausages, and why she won’t touch caviar
My first food memory is of these little Vienna sausages in a can, which I used to have at my great aunt’s house when I was little.
I loved them back in the day, but I’d never in a million years put them in my mouth now.
When I was growing up, my dad cooked most of the time.
We’d eat a lot of fried food, like pork chops and bacon, things he grew up eating. So I wasn’t the hugest fan of his cooking, but my mum would make my lunches.
As a child, I was a picky eater.
I wasn’t into breakfast, and if
I had to have it, I’d want lunch things, like a ham sandwich. I didn’t like eggs. In fact, all the food I enjoy now, I didn’t like then.
I grew up on Texas barbecue.
There was always some good smoked brisket and barbecue was definitely part of my childhood.
I was home schooled during high school, as I was on tour.
Food would be on the tour bus, and depend on whatever town I was in. I now eat everything. My whole life is driven by good food. I just love sitting down for a great meal. I always sample the food wherever I go in the world.
For the first few years on tour, I probably wasn’t eating all that well.
I used to drink a lot of Coca-cola, and didn’t know how to eat healthily. That didn’t come until I was 19 or 20, and I started to change my diet and think about what I had. I look back at the way I ate as a kid and think, ‘How did my body not fall apart?’
I cook when I have the time.
I love going grocery shopping, and can spend hours walking around, finding new food. Then, when I’m at home, I go through Pinterest and find recipes. Cooking is more of a creative process for me. I’m not a huge prepper. I do love putting things together and seasoning – the whole process. But if there’s one part I don’t love, it’s all that chopping.
The food in Italy is heavenly.
My husband [American soap actor Eddie Cibrian] and I spent some time in Lake Como a couple of years ago, and every single meal we had was stunning. Everything is so fresh, and the people are wonderful.
I really don’t like caviar.
Oh god. I love fish but I don’t like anything that is too fishy. And I’m big on texture, so nothing slimy either. Caviar is too fishy and too slimy. You won’t find variety meats [offal] on my plate either.
My favourite comfort food is macaroni and cheese.
That makes me so happy. There’s a place in Los Angeles called Erewhon, which is a really posh grocery store. They make this gluten-free mac and cheese
and it’s so good. When I’m in need of something really comforting, I get a little tub of that. Heaven.
I always have cottage cheese in my fridge,
and greek yogurt. Along with some turkey and salami, too. Oh, and any kind of berries and a bunch of fruit. Those are my go-to staples.
I love The Good Crisp Company potato chips.
Like a healthy version of Pringles Sour Cream & Onion. It’s not really a guilty pleasure as they’re so healthy. I also like this chocolate called The Good Chocolate, which is sugar free but tastes amazing. Though I’d rather have salt over sugar any day.
There’s a restaurant called Blue Hill at Stone Barns, just outside New York City.
The place is so beautiful. I don’t even know how many courses you get but by the time you leave you need to goupapantsize!it’ssucha gorgeous experience. In fact, I’m about to play a show near there, so we’re actually flying in the day before just so we can visit.
My last meal would be fettuccine alfredo [fresh pasta, parmesan and butter].
And cacio e pepe [spaghetti, pepper, parmesan and butter] as well. Then I’d have sushi from Nobu and an In-n-out Burger. They don’t go together at all, but I’d need a bite of each.