This is my first meme....thanks Amy (Blue Lotus) for the tag! This is for The Cook Next Door, a food meme from delicious days. Here are my answers:
What is your first memory of baking/cooking on your own?
I remember cooking breakfast for myself on weekends when I was a teenager. I loved making my Dad's favorite–egg in the hole, egg in the basket, whatever you want to call it. I never knew the proper name for it. You take a shot glass and cut a hole in the center of your bread, butter the bread and put in a frying pan, then crack an egg into the center. Cook, flip, cook some more, and you're done.
I was also the queen of grilled cheese sandwiches. Still am. And one more memory from those days...I went to a family reunion in Pennsylvania, and we picked up a very small Pennsylvania German cookbook which had a really awesome shortbread recipe. I used to make that quite a lot.
Who had the most influence on your cooking?
This one is hard to pin down. My grandparents had a garden and always cooked using fresh vegetables. Of course, back in the days that they lived next door, I didn't really appreciate vegetables. (Ask any of my friends, they will tell you, I didn't touch beans or green things until college when I discovered blue cheese dressing). I think that my grandparents had a subconcious influence on me when I started cooking on my own. I love to use fresh ingredients now.
Also, my mom indirectly affected the way I cook. She didn't use fresh herbs or much seasoning. So I always wanted to try and flavor food better. Now I use fresh herbs in just about everything I cook. Her other influcence would be a positive one...she could bake anything. She even made my beautiful wedding cake. So, I always aspire to have my baked goods be as good as hers.
My friend and roommate in college Jen taught me some things after college. We'd get together on the weekend and end up cooking at her place. Being on my own, I started cooking to eat, and discovered I loved it. I've also been influenced by TV cooks, like Jamie Oliver and Rachel Ray.
Do you have an old photo as “evidence” of an early exposure to the culinary world and would you like to share it?
I don't have one here in Japan with me...they are all at my brother's house in Georgia. The one that springs to mind is my first birthday party where I'm covered in cake. (My mom was a fabulous baker and her cakes were masterpieces).
Mageiricophobia - do you suffer from any cooking phobia, a dish that makes your palms sweat?
Hmmm. Not so much. I tend to view new dishes as creative challenges..and haven't run across any as of yet that have made me nervous. Of course, now that I've said that, I'll see something next week that frightens me.
What would be your most valued or used kitchen gadgets and/or what was the biggest letdown?
My immersion blender is a very happy thing for soups. No more having to ladle it out into the regular blender. I also really love my kitchen aid mixer, and my electric tea kettle.
Biggest letdown: regular blenders. Every one I've owned has been a letdown....they don't crush ice well....or don't like frozen fruit.
Name some funny or weird food combinations/dishes you really like - and probably no one else!
I can't think of anything. My dad used to eat peanut butter, mayonnaise and pickle sandwiches and that would gross me out. Some people might be grossed out that I eat sushi. But, can't really think of anything else.
What are the three eatables or dishes you simply don’t want to live without?
Cheese, garlic, bread.
Three quickies:
Your favorite ice-cream…
Dulce de Leche
You will probably never eat…
Nattou
Your own signature dish…
Probably my pantry pasta. I can make pasta out of whatever I have in the pantry and fridge to try and avoid going to the store.
(Added by Chefdoc) Any signs that this passion is going slightly over the edge and may need intervention?
Not yet. My husband definitely doesn't complain.
(Added by Melissa) What's on your all-time foodie dream list? (gadgets, destinations, restaurants, dishes to try...)
Gadgets: All Clad Stainless Cookware
Destinations: I really really really want to go to Italy for the art and the food, and then tour Europe, and Brazil...I could easily go everywhere and try food everyplace.
(Added by Santos of The Scent of Green Bananas) Have you ever poisoned/sickened anyone with your cooking? Was it deliberate?
No, not that I know of.
(Added by Amy, Blue Lotus) Are there any tools, techniques or food items that you know you should use more often but don't?
The whole "tucking the fingers under while chopping" technique. I really need to practice that so that I'll stop cutting my thumb.
I really want to vary my veggies, but most of the time the veggies are an afterthought to the meal, so I end up buying the ones I know how to cook fastest.
(added by Me) What are your favorite dishes to cook?
I have this tomato soup recipe that is fabulous..and you serve it with grilled cheese sandwiches made with italian bread, mozzerella cheese and pesto.
I also made up a soup that I haven't named as of yet (based on a simpler pared down version of a veggie soup a friend told me about). I guess you could call it "curry soup".
So, my favorite things recently have been soups.
Next, I'm passing this along to:
Jen at our own particular brand of madness
Duncan at our own particular brand of madness
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