Member Since:
Nov. 2007
Cooking Level:
Expert
Cooking Interests:
Baking, Grilling & BBQ, Stir Frying, Slow Cooking, Asian, Mexican, Italian, Southern, Dessert, Quick & Easy
Hobbies:
Knitting, Gardening, Camping, Photography, Reading Books, Music
I learned to cook basics from my Mom. Beyond that, I am a self-taught cook, and am always on the search for a new recipe. My family, with three teenagers, are willing to be guinea pigs on my search for the best tasting recipes. Every week I try to cook at least two new recipes.
My favorite things to cook
BBQ, desserts, Sourdough Artisan bread, pizza
My favorite family cooking traditions
We remember loved ones by cooking their favorite dishes on their birthdays, and after they have passed. Mom's Christmas Morning Casserole~a sausage and cheese strata... is always served on Christmas Morning, and then her Ham with Mustard Ring and Potatoes Romanoff in the afternoon. Others we remember include Gramma Ross's Shrimp Cocktail, Pop's Apple Cake with Rum Sauce, Gramma Young's Stroganoff. I had never thought to barbecue a turkey before Pop did, and have found the perfect way (a la Traeger BBQ).
My cooking triumphs
BBQ Prime Rib. It is nerving to take a $125 piece of beef, and cook it. It came out fabulous, and I never want to eat Prime Rib any other way. And then there's the BBQ Turkey that came out oh so juicy and tasty. I make Cinnamon Rolls that would rival Cinnabon's & Izzy's combined... My children and husband constantly rave about my cooking to their friends... It makes my heart melt.
My cooking tragedies
Oven-broiled toasted garlic bread...half the time it comes out burnt! I know I do too many other things, and even when I set a timer, it still burns! Gravy...I get in too much of a hurry and try to cook it at too high a heat, and have burnt the Thanksgiving gravy too many times! I have since learned to make it days ahead of time with turkey stock created from the last turkey.