I am 28 years old. I have a wonderful husband who loves my cooking and two year old daughter in whom I am trying to instill the same passion for cooking. I have always enjoyed cooking. My very first experience was making a cake from a mix at age 8. It didn't turn out like a cake though...more like a cookie. But it was still very good and I was very proud of myself.
My favorite things to cook
I enjoy making anything that is a challenge! I love trying new things that I have never made before and that require skill. However, I enjoy baking deserts and breads (I am just discovering this) the most. And my absolute favourite thing to do is to add special touches and "accessories" to my meals to make them more interesting.
My favorite family cooking traditions
While growing up, we always had specific meals and items we would make for special occasions. Like Cheoreg (armenian bread) for Easter and Turkey for Christmas. I love the idea of associating foods with traditions that create a bond between us and thoses before us. I plan on continuing those traditions. I also plan on creating new traditions with my daughter, like the making a special April fool's meal together.
My cooking triumphs
Two things come to mind. The first just happened recently when I finally was able to make and perfect our family recipe for choereg. The second triumph was cooking a christmas dinner for a crowd of 60...Turkey and all. Of course I did have help, but what a challenge!
My cooking tragedies
The tragedy involves choereg once more (pre-perfection). My first couple of batches just would not rise. So I left it a closed oven for a while hoping it would rise. I then had to rush to the emergency with my daughter and forgot about it. I came back home many many hours later with sticky dough all over the oven. The dough had finally risen...uncontrolably!