I got married knowing sadly nothing about cooking. My parents were vegetarian, so I hadn't grown up eating meat at home, much less ever buying it or handling it. Didn't know one cut from the next, nothin! Sadly, sadly lost. So,I began my self-training with cookbooks, cooking shows, magazines, and lots of trial and error. For the first couple of years, usually error. My poor husband! Cooking has since become my hobby, and I love to try new things. I spend free time poring over cookbooks, reading recipes, cataloging them (I have an extensive system)(yes, for those of you wondering, I am a little obsessive-compulsive about this). I try about 4 or 5 new recipes a week, and I've gotten good enough at picking out successful ones that I can usually save my family unnecessary gastronomic torture. These days, instead of shaking her head in shame, my mother-in-law brags to her friends about my cooking, actually brags! What better compliment can you receive? This website's a goldmine!
My favorite things to cook
Knowing how to make everything and make it well has become a mild obsession for me, so I'm very picky about my recipes. I don't like to repeat anything that's "just okay"; to qualify as a keeper it has to be really excellent. I love to make Mexican and Aisan dishes, but I'm often frustrated by the ingredients I'm limited to in this small town. I love to bake things for my friends and family...who am I kidding, it just gives me a reason to try all these new recipes I find so that I can collect more.
My favorite family cooking traditions
Like I said, I grew up in a vegetarian household, and my folks loved to buy soy-based fake food. Don't get me wrong, I can still enjoy a good "veggie-dog" with the best of them, or soy bacon, or soy sausage...but those days are pretty much done for me-thanks anyway. But my now-adult brother is convinced--completely convinced--that growing up, we ate something called hamman. He doesn't know what it is, just has memories that include this mystery food. I try to tell him nothing like that exists, and is he maybe thinking of salmon? But he's so sure, and it just drives him crazy that he can't find it in the grocery store to prove it to me. And to find out for himself what he's talking about, of course.
My cooking triumphs
Yeast bread. I recently received a Kitchenaid stand mixer as a gift, and with it's help, have FINALLY been able to create a pretty loaf. I have a picture of my mom at my age with her first loaf, so now I have one to match. Very proud of myself. :)
My cooking tragedies
Stupid stupid flour tortillas. How hard can this be? I've tried 10 count 'em TEN different recipes and they are not right! None! Aaarrrgh! My mom-in-law says she has to "show" me how, she doesn't use a recipe. That's not helping me! They always come out too puffy or too flaky or something, and it DRIVES ME UP THE WALL that I can't master this simple thing. Grrr.
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