cook's profile


MARFYC
 
Living In: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
Member Since: Nov. 2004
Cooking Level: Expert
Cooking Interests: Baking, Stir Frying, Asian, Mexican, Italian, Mediterranean, Healthy, Gourmet
Hobbies: Gardening, Walking, Reading Books, Music, Painting/Drawing, Wine Tasting
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About this Cook
I worked in restaurants for several years but seem to learn just as much from my cooking pursuits at home. I am working on my baking, as that is not my forte, so I would like to improve my ability. I also worked at an organization that certifies organic foods/feed and learned a lot about commercial food production there. But I am still learning!
My favorite things to cook
I end up making a lot of vegetarian items, not because I'm a vegetarian, but because I love vegetables. I had a massive garden with my mother this past summer and was able to utilize tons of veggies and herbs throughout the summer and fall. It was great! I am a soup/salad/sandwich person and would love to have my own deli someday.
My favorite family cooking traditions
My mom still makes Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, but I am the major cook of the family, so I help out a lot. Every couple of years my family has a major party for one reason or another, and I love planning the menu and cooking everything for a crowd.
My cooking triumphs
I make the best buffalo chili known to man (although it is a recipe from a book - shh! don't tell anyone!). I am also known for my black bean and corn salsa, although when I try to give out the recipe, people can't seem to duplicate it, because I always add a little of this and that.
My cooking tragedies
The worst thing I ever made was a 'shoofly pie' from a cookbook and brought it to family Easter. As we were eating dessert, I glanced at everyone's plates, and each person had a piece of my pie with one bite out of it still on their plate. When I finally tried it, I realized it was terrible! My family and I still laugh about that one. I also made a banana cream pie for my dad's birthday one year and forgot to prebake the crust! It still tasted good, but he had to ask in the middle of dessert... 'Did you bake this??' Ha ha!
Recipe Reviews 91 reviews
Mexican Atole
It's a rainy, cold morning here, so I decided to try this. My first sip: Yum! And different. I halved the recipe, using about 1 3/4 c water and 3/4 c milk. I also used regular brown sugar, since I didn't have piloncillo. And then, while the mix was simmering, I added a small handful of chocolate chips! Pretty tasty! Just be sure to watch the mixture, because it will boil over if the heat is too high. Had to keep a strict eye on mine and keep stirring with a whisk. And I think.... if it takes a half hour for the mixture to come to a boil for you, there might be something wrong with your stove! :)

1 user found this review helpful
Reviewed On: Oct. 24, 2009
Curried Wild Rice and Squash Soup
This is pretty good. I used a buttercup squash and simmered the chunks in the chix broth/o.j. I sauteed the garlic (and some fresh ginger) separately and cooked the wild rice separately, so I still ended up using three pans, but that's okay. It pureed up nicely. I think my version might be a good Halloween soup, because I ended up using some purplish-black wild rise that I got at the Asian foods store awhile back. So I've got an orange soup with black rice floating in it. :) I also added a splash of sherry.

0 users found this review helpful
Reviewed On: Sep. 23, 2009
Cucumber-Watermelon Salad
Yum! I really liked this. I'm giving it a 4 because I didn't really measure any amounts and probably added less balsamic than called for. Honestly, I could probably do without the cukes and be just fine. I've had strawberries and balsamic together, but never watermelon. Thanks!

0 users found this review helpful
Reviewed On: Sep. 7, 2009
 
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