Julia Holland
School
University Of Texas – Austin, New Mexico State University
Expertise
Mexican Cuisine, South American Cuisines, Gastronomy & Travel
- Julia lived in a 100-person housing cooperative for four years while attending college, during which she cooked dinner for the entire co-op once a week and planned breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus for two years.
- Her mother was a pastry and dessert chef and caterer, instilling in her a love for cooking, recipe developing, and adventurous eating from a young age.
- One of Julia's favorite books and movies is "Like Water for Chocolate," which she has read in Spanish and English, and seen countless times. She used passages from the book and scenes from the movie in a grad school research paper and oral presentation as part of a deep dive into the subject of aphrodisiac foods.
Experience
Julia has been a travel and food writer since 2019. She began writing a travel blog for a European travel site about her experiences living and traveling around Mexico. Most articles were dedicated to the vast and elaborate subject of Mexican food, delving into detail about regional dishes, snacks, spirits, and street food culture. She then began writing SEO articles and blogs for numerous clients through a writing agency, specializing in niches like food and drink, recipes, restaurants, and bar scenes. She joined Tasting Table in 2023, where she continues using her travels and cross-cultural experiences as inspiration for her research and writing on gastronomy.
Education
Julia has a bachelor's degree in anthropology and Latin American studies from the University of Texas at Austin and a master's degree in anthropology from New Mexico State University.
Tasting Table’s editorial coverage hails from a veteran group of writers and editors with expertise in their respective fields in the food and drink, hospitality, and agriculture industries. Outside experts are also consulted to help deliver factual, up-to-date information and original recipes.
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Stories By Julia Holland
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Underripe avocados are the unexpected star of these snacks that combine crunch with creaminess that are so good they could be the focus of a vegetarian main.
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Adding this one particular kind of beer to boxed chocolate cake mix can enhance it in several ways, giving it a better rise, better crumb, and moist texture.
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Making homemade pizza in a standard oven comes with the drawback of not being able to reach the high temperatures of pizza ovens, so your flour choice matters.
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Cake vs. pie is an eternal debate, but there's no reason why you can't have the best of both worlds. Used boxed cake mix to turn apple pie into cake.
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This method of cooking a creamy fettuccine Alfredo with chicken saves on the number of dishes you have to wash, and also makes the most flavorful sauce.
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Chicken is our most consumed meat, but cooking the breast without it drying out still eludes many of us. Luckily, an expert has shared their foolproof method.
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These super cute mini 'pies' that are actually made from cheese and crackers will be the stars of any fall appetizer spread, delighting guests of all ages.
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It's hard to improve on the classic grilled cheese sandwich. But if anyone can do it, it's Ina Garten. Here's why she chops her sandwiches into croutons.
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While it might seem impossible, you can easily whip up a batch of vegan buttermilk for baking or cooking using just soy milk and one key ingredient.
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While jarred products do exist, roasting your own red peppers gives you the tastiest results. Keep in mind there is a right time to remove the stems and seeds.
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In chocolate cake, cocoa powder is behind the rich chocolatey flavor. But hot chocolate mix is the powdered drink mix that will take your cake to new heights.
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You can always rely on the vast world of social media platforms to supply clever cooking tricks, and TikTok's soda can trick has burger lovers in mind.
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It's hard to beat the crackling, crunchy skin of fried chicken - and flamin' hot chips are the secret weapon you need to spice up your dish.
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If ultra-processed foods or frozen fish aren't appealing to you, use phyllo dough and your favorite fresh fish for a revamped take on crispy fish sticks.
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Although the corn tortilla is far more frequently used than its flour counterpart in tacos, you may be wondering which of the two works best with fish tacos.
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You don't need to worry if braiding Challah for Rosh Hashanah feels like a chore -- you can bake pull-apart Challah rolls instead as a simpler alternative.
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Frozen hash browns are more than a standalone side dish for breakfast. Use them as a shortcut potato ingredient for dishes like savory pancakes.
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Ice cream sandwiches are an indulgent treat whether you're six or sixty, but here's how to take them one level more decadent with a second layer of ice cream.
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Tofu is a handy ingredient in more ways than one for those eating a vegan diet. Our expert says it's the secret addition to sauces for adding creamy substance.
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There may be plenty of vegan cheese choice out there, but don't forget our plant-based food expert's tip to help your next vegan grilled cheese melt perfectly.
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Chef José Andrés is a man who likes to travel, and while abroad he gains inspiration from local dishes. One particular favorite pork dish comes from Haiti.
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Pound cake is a classic dessert known for its dense and moist texture, but adding this savory ingredient will give it a surprisingly bold twist.
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Amputated hand charcuterie boards have gone viral on TikTok. In the spirit of Halloween, here's how to make it yourself and customize the ingredients.
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Veggie burgers can be made with endless combinations, but next time you want a filling and flavorful meal grab a can of pumpkin purée to add to the mix.
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Sometimes top chefs get our favorite recipes wrong. Case in point is Gordon Ramsay, whose grilled cheese didn't do the thing that all grilled cheeses should.
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You can't go wrong with baked potatoes, and you certainly can't go wrong with a grilled cheese, so why not combine the two for an awesome meal?
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Like many Jewish celebrations, Rosh Hashanah (Jewish new year) involves foods imbued with meaning. For the honey element, here's how to set up a tasting bar.