cook's profile


Aunt Meg
 
Home Town:
Living In: Columbus, Ohio, USA
Member Since: Oct. 2003
Cooking Level: Expert
Cooking Interests: Baking, Grilling & BBQ, Frying, Stir Frying, Slow Cooking, Italian, Southern, Dessert, Kids
Hobbies: Gardening, Walking, Reading Books, Charity Work
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About this Cook
I've always enjoyed cooking/baking. I, like most young girls, had an Easy Bake Oven - mine was the Holly Hobby version. I loved to make little cakes for my brother and sisters! I can remember being a little girl and asking my mom to help in the kitchen. Since I don't have anyone at home to cook for, I'm always brining things into work for co-workers, or taking dishes to friends/family and to church events for others to sample and enjoy!! Everyone gets excited when they see me carrying in a dish or container full of something yummy!! It has become a must for me to bring my Mac-n-Cheese to every family dinner, if I don't take it I might as well not even show up! I love cooking for large groups of people, the more to feed the better. I enjoy collecting cookbooks and getting new ideas.
My favorite things to cook
I enjoy cooking/baking a variety of food. However, I love to cook comfort food and traditional American food - but I usually then put my own spin on them. Very few recipes I enjoy are low in calories; although, most of what I make is made from scratch and with fresh ingredients...which helps with keeping down the preservates, artificial flavorings, etc. I enjoy both cooking and baking - I'll bake anything, cookies and brownies (both of various versions) are my favorite!
My favorite family cooking traditions
I love the first weekend in December when my Mom, younger sisters, Sister-In-Law, nieces and I get together to bake cookies and other yummy treats for the holidays. Last year we baked approx. 900 cookies and holiday treats to give away to neighbors, family and friends. I get to combine my two favorite things cooking/baking and my family. I look forward to it every year!
My cooking triumphs
I have two triumphs - that were equally challenging. In 2005, our church was hosting it's bi-annual Christms Dinner Theatre and I was asked to make my Roast Beef for 350 people (approx. 150 pounds of beef). I was a little worried at first because I'd never done anything like that, but it went off without a hitch and EVERYONE loved the roast beef. I received many compliments! Earlier this year (2011), I was asked to prepare an appreciation breakfast for 40-50 people. I would be responsible for creating the menu, purchasing the food and executing the meal. After some thought I agreed. I worked on a menu for several weeks, and got it approved. I was very much looking forward to this challenge. With the help of my Mom and one of my sisters the breakfast was a success!! Lots of "mmms" and "oh this is delicious"...I was even asked if I would cater an event! I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge!!
My cooking tragedies
For my sisters birthday, she wanted a yellow cake with chocolate icing. I searched for the best recipe and made plans to make both - from scratch. The icing was a success. The cake not so much. I followed the recipe step by step...the batter looked (and tasted) as it should. The cakes baked perfectly - they even pulled from the sides of the pan...not one crumb was stuck. I iced the cakes (8-inch double layer) and was anxiously awaiting it's debut. As I was putting candles in the cake I realized something was VERY wrong. I had to force the candles into the cake. After, I finally inserted the candles in and carried the cake to the table. After the traditional rendition of "Happy Birthday", I went to cut the cake. It was hard, the cake was firm, I was able to put it on to the plate and it sat stright up stiff as a board. My sister and friends graciously took a few bites of the cake - but removed the frosting and left the cake. Outside I was laughing, but inside I was dying.
Recipe Reviews 17 reviews
Pumpkin Coffee Cake
Very yummy!! I made this for a breakfast I "catered" and everyone enjoyed it. The cake was super easy to make, no issues at all! Will keep this on hand - especially for last minute need of a coffee cake. It was very moist - and I even forgot to cover it over night! It would be a great addition to have sitting out on Thanksgiving morning...bake the night before, slice in the morning, simple-help yourself breakfast for the family, while you are busy in the kitchen! Great with coffee and hot tea!

0 users found this review helpful
Reviewed On: Sep. 26, 2011
Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake
IT WAS A HIT!! I received many "mmms" and "ohhs" from the attendees of a breakfast I "catered". It was one of the first items to go...I heard one man say "these are real blueberries!" (I used fresh). I must admit - something happened and we couldn't get the cake to come out...it was stuck on the bottom of the pan (top of the cake) - but loose on the sides and middle (bundt pan). After much "working" of the cake and pounding on the bottom of the pan, it finally came out - missing the top "edging" portion of the cake. I was super bummed - because it looked so good, just missing the rounded top. I wasn't going to serve it - but I didn't want it to go to waste - so I decided I'd dust it (mid-heavy) with powered sugar. It looked much better - and from there it was rave after rave...from the time it was placed on the buffet line to when the last person left. Not sure what went wrong - or if I'll be able to make it "happen" again...but I will definitely be making this cake again. Lesson learned - a little powdered sugar can go a long way...especially since presentation is everything!

0 users found this review helpful
Reviewed On: Sep. 26, 2011
Apple Pie Muffins
DELICIOUS!! I made these for a breakfast that I "catered"- they went like wild fire! Very moist and delicious. I used Fuiji applies. I added cinnamon to the flour mixture before adding the buttermilk mixture. The recipe says to fill the muffin cups to the top - I learned to fill them almost to the top. It prevents them from running over and sticking to the pan. Although my nieces and nephew enjoyed eating the "scraps" that stuck to the pan! Will most definitely make these again.

0 users found this review helpful
Reviewed On: Sep. 26, 2011
 
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