One woman's foray into cooking for herself, for her family, and for her friends. It's not always picture-perfect, sometimes a little messy,
but it's always delicious. Join me in exploring new recipes, savoring the "résultats" and learning from the "erreurs".



Monday, October 18, 2010

Getting to know me, getting to know all about me...

 
When Liz at That Skinny Chick Can Bake! sent me a list of questions to answer, I couldn't help but think of that scene in The King and I: Anna, surrounded by all the king's children, singing in unison, "Getting to know you, getting to know all about you..."  In case you would like to know a little bit more about me, check out this interesting little interrogation - it made me have to think (I hate that part...)

So settle in with a cup of tea and a cookie.  Here goes:

1. Who taught you to cook?
My mom is a great cook.  When I was growing up, she was often trying new recipes, which is a great way to broaden your kids' exposure to new foods.  She didn't use much in the way of mixes - always fresh, always good quality.  She bought her meat from the best butcher in town and had fresh eggs delivered to the house every week.  My mom's mother worked in a bakery.  It was an old fashioned place where I worked a couple of times when I would visit her in the summers.  I started by washing dishes and pots & pans, then got to fill the jelly doughnuts, then got to work the front - the big, antique cash register.  I have wonderful memories of that little place.  The carryover is now, when I'm down for some reason, the first thing I usually turn to is cooking and/or baking.  When my grandmother passed away several years ago, I spent the whole next day in the kitchen, baking and cooking like crazy.  It's a release for me, I guess.  I never realized that about myself until that day.

2. Do you prefer cooking or baking?
I don't know that I prefer one over the other.  I like the 'prettiness' of baked goods, but cooking has more 'soul'.  I like both.  I won't choose.  I won't.  And you can't make me...

3. What is your favorite meal to cook for company?
I often cook Italian food for company:  lasagna, homemade manicotti, homemade pizza.  It's easy to make a lot of  and how can you beat the aroma of a pot of sauce simmering away on the stove??

4. Are there any foods you will not eat?
I think offal is... awful.  Sorry.  I guess I'll never be an Iron Chef.

5. Who is your favorite TV chef?
There are a few I enjoy watching.  Bobby Flay has an easy-going personality and an easy way about his cooking that I really like.  I like the verbal artistry of Nigella Lawson (nothing is just red - it's ruby red...that kind of thing).  I really appreciate Jamie Oliver's passion. And I could watch re-runs of Julia Child's shows over and over and over...

6. What famous person/people would you love to dine with (dead or alive)?
I'd like to have a burger with August Escoffier.

Okay.  Just kidding.

I've been a Barbra Streisand fan forever.  I understand she appreciates a good meal.  I wouldn't mind sharing a nosh or two with her.  And, honestly, I would like to ask Julia Child just how much butter she actually consumed in her lifetime...

7. Was your favorite meal ever eaten at a restaurant or someone's home? Tell us about it.
I had a wonderful meal at Spago's in Las Vegas once.  Our daughter had just gotten married a few weeks before, and it was a time to de-stress from the wedding preparations.  I remember I started with the best gazpacho I've ever had.  I had scallops for my entree, and then THE BEST creme brulee I've ever tasted in my life (and I've tasted a lot of creme brulee in my life).  *sigh*  It was wonderful.

8. What dish are you still trying to master?
I think sugar work is intriguing.  Blowing sugar, pulling sugar.  It's an amazing art form.  I'd love to try it sometime.

Well, that's a little bit about me.  How about you?  Care to share?

4 comments:

Joyti said...

I've never even thought of blowing or pulling sugar. Seems so difficult, to work with...

Cathy said...

What a lovely post, Lori. I'm very happy to get to know you a little better. I, too, learned so much from my mother and grandmother. What wonderful memories.

La Table De Nana said...

Nice to meet you:) That was fun.. the cookies look good too.

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

What lovely, insightful answers!! Thanks so much for playing along, Lori!!!

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