The Cooking Meme

This meme has slowly been passed around and I’ve been drooling to do it. Lucky for me Michelle from The Baker’s Rack gave me the opportunity, despite her odd love of pickle juice snowcones.

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What is your first memory of baking/cooking on your own?
I have some wonderful early memories of baking with my mother. To this day, whenever I bake it makes me feel close to her, whether she be near or far.

I really had a gradual introduction into the kitchen, generally with specific instructions that I don’t remember having problems following. I mainly remember my mother’s reaction to my discovery of fresh garlic as a teenager. More than once, I over did it to the point that she opened up the windows in the middle of winter to alleviate the smell, and she likes garlic!

Who had the most influence on your cooking?
That’s really hard. My mother, of course, was my starting base in the kitchen. I learned how to bake and measure and be safe in the kitchen from her. She always encouraged my interest and made me believe that I had a lot of talent.

I also had a stage where my peers were a huge influence. I was a vegetarian and I learned about different vegetarian cuisine cooking with my friends. About five years ago my cooking took another major turn from the influence of working in quality restaurants. I’ve learned a lot more about the science of cooking and baking and have gotten exposed to an even greater variety of cuisine, including the cooking of meat, which I avoided for a long time. I still love experimenting in the kitchen, but now I do it with much more confidence and success.

Do you have an old photo as “evidence” of an early exposure to the culinary world and would you like to share it?

This photo was taken as my beautiful mother was making a cup of tea as we were taking a break from our Christmas baking in 1976.

Mageiricophobia – do you suffer from any cooking phobia, a dish that makes your palms sweat?
I find crepes totally intimidating, but I haven’t tried making them in a while. I also dislike baking/ roasting meat. I feel there are much better uses for an oven.

What would be your most valued or used kitchen gadgets and/or what was the biggest letdown?
I’ve never had a lot of kitchen space. So, I’m generally very picky about what I bring into it, so I really don’t have a lot of disappointments. I did get a Cuisinart Minichopper which I burner out on it first use. Now I have a small Cuisinart Food processor, which I love.

As for love, I really enjoy having good quality basics. I love my Calphalon cookware my Henckels knives, and my Kitchen Aid mixer. Plus little things like my kitchen scale, cookie baller, good measuring spoons and cups and, of couse, my ceramic vegetable peeler.

Name some funny or weird food combinations/dishes you really like – and probably no one else!
I really can’t think of anything I do that is all that weird, but then weird is just a matter of perspective. I do enjoy fresh squeezed grapefruit juice with more enthusiasm then most.

What are the three eatables or dishes you simply don’t want to live without?
Yogurt, Dark Chocolate, and Peanut Butter

Any question you missed in this meme, that you would have loved to answer? Well then, feel free to add one!
Hmm…my greatest source of cooking inspiration? Fine Cooking magazine, food talk with other food lovers, and Epicurious.com for great recipes.

Three quickies:
Your favorite ice-cream…A strong flavored coffee ice cream, bonus if it has chunks of chocolate in it.
You will probably never eat…Veal! I don’t care if you think it tastes good the whole concept is cruel and disgusting and I woun't eat it even to be polite.
Your own signature dish…Vegetable lasagna

As for tagging...
The biggest blogging foodies I know who haven't done this meme yet are J Bo, Bearette, and Pearl.