As a Rockette, Tori Schelling performs with precision on stage but she's also a creative talent in the kitchen.
"I love baking," said Schelling, who is currently on tour with the Rockettes. The star dancers will be performing in "The Radio City Christmas Spectacular" Dec. 14 to 30 at the Akoo Theatre in Rosemont. FYI: For tickets and information, call (800) 745-3000 or visit ticketmaster.com
Schelling said she enjoys making a variety of dishes in addition to baking. Favorites include Hanger steak salad, a great pasta dish with vegetables and a pancake-type recipe called Abel Skiver.
"I make the Abel Skiver as a breakfast dish. It's a great recipe to make on Christmas morning or Easter morning. It's delicious," Schelling said. She said the dish has been a longtime traditional favorite in her family.
According to Schelling, the cooking and baking craft was instilled by her family.
"I learned from my mother and she learned from her mother. They were a big baking family. And I got the bug."
The performer said she also enjoys making cake pops, which is a big trend now.
'In high school, they nicknamed me the next Martha Stewart," Schelling said with a laugh.
Schelling added she'd love to have had a chance to cook for Julia Child.
"I would love to have her critique me and to hear her voice. It would be a wonderful conversation with her over a meal."
As a professional dancer, Schelling said she watches what she eats but doesn't get too crazed about it.
'You're doing so much cardio work so you can have a few more cookies," she said.
The dancer looks forward to trying Chicago deep-dish pizza during the group's performance engagement in Rosemont.
"I'll do a few extra kicks to eat a few more slices," she said.
This is Schelling's first year as a Rockette and she said she's honored to be in the famed group. "I'm grateful to be a part of this show. It's a wonderful group of women and a historic and iconic part of the performance world," she said.
Try the following recipe from Schelling
Abel Skiver
1 3/4 cup cake flour
2 teaspoons double-act baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
5 egg yolks
2 to 3 tablespoons melted butter or vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups milk
5 beaten egg whites - stiff but not dry
Cast iron pan, that resembles an egg holder-type pan
DIRECTIONS: Mix dry ingredients. Then mix yolks, oil and milk. Blend both mixtures together. Add egg white (barely blended). Heat pan to medium to medium/high. (Preheat with shortening). Cook until browned. (These will turn out similar to pancake balls).
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