I've loved to cook my whole life.
At age 5 I made my first dinner (mostly) unassisted... jello and meatballs. At age 11, I catered a dinner party for my dad's boss.
I had a little paring knife that my mom would let me use and I soon learned to do anything with it... peeling cucumbers, chopping onions, boning chicken, butterflying pork chops. When I graduated to an 8" French chef's knife, I thought I'd officially made it in the culinary world. That beauty made light work of mincing garlic!
Cooking is in my blood. My parents are both excellent cooks who hail
from lines of excellent cooks. My dad can turn a piece of meat into a
work of art "that could talk to you," and my mother, besides whipping
out savory delicacies every night of my childhood, can entertain with
the grace and charm of a beautifully set table, arranged flowers, and
uplifting conversation. My siblings are amazing in the kitchen, and
several of my aunts, uncles and cousins are professional chefs and
caterers. We just love to cook (and eat).
Every Saturday growing up, my family watched cooking shows together on PBS. PBS aired cooking shows before cooking shows were cool... before a whole network was devoted to Food.
Paul Prudhomme, Justin Wilson, and John Folse for Cajun/Creole fare, Rick Bayless and Steven Pyles taught Tex/Mex, Martin Yan (Yan Can Cook) for Asian cuisine, America's Test Kitchen for the science of cooking, Cucina Amore (with the Carrabbas) and Lydia Bastianich for Italian, Julia Child for all things French, BBQ University and The Frugal Gourmet for American.... all of them were inspirational to me in one way or another.
My all-time favorite, however, was Jacques Pépin. He not only makes delicious food, but it's beautiful, an art, a gift. How can you watch this man and not be inspired?
How to debone a chicken.
Cream puff swans in a caramel cage.
Who are the chefs that inspire you?
Showing posts with label autobiographical. Show all posts
Showing posts with label autobiographical. Show all posts
Monday, December 5, 2011
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
My Non-Paid Infomercial
When I lived in the city and had TV reception and spent many a happy Sunday afternoon lazing about with my siblings, we used to watch infomercials.
Other people turn them off in frustration. We gloried in them. Clean entertainment that wasn't animated!
Not just any infomercials, mind you. I mean, exercise equipment? Immodest! 52 ladders in one? Not so much. Vacuum cleaners? BORING. But you give us an infomercial with a kitchen gadget... Chef Tony doing the Miracle Blade, Ron Popiel with his Showtime Rotisserie, Jack LaLanne's Juicer, the NuWave Oven, XPress Redi-Set-Go!? We'd be entertained over and over again. George Foreman got his grill started on infomercials, you know. (Additionally, Time Life Music Collection infomercials were also a big hit.)
There is one infomercial that stands out, though, as perhaps the best. The Magic Bullet. (Part 1, Part 2) It has class, wit, charm, shock and awe wonder, and just the perfect amount of cheesiness.
My husband wants one, I think. Since introducing him to the infomercial, he's asked me on several occasions, "you think that Magic Bullet could do that?" Hm...
Anyway, I mention all of this not to show you how weird and entertainment-starved I was, but to point out that there's a recipe they show that I'd really like to try.
Peppermint Chocolate Chocolate Chip Shakes
1 handful hard peppermint candies
1 or 2 chocolate bars
1 giant giant squeeze of chocolate syrup
1 behemoth glob of vanilla ice cream
1 generous splash of cream
Put all of the ingredients (in that order) into your blender and mix 'em up.
I'm not sure how it'll taste, but I want one every time I see that infomercial. And uh... you don't need to know how often that is.
Other people turn them off in frustration. We gloried in them. Clean entertainment that wasn't animated!
Not just any infomercials, mind you. I mean, exercise equipment? Immodest! 52 ladders in one? Not so much. Vacuum cleaners? BORING. But you give us an infomercial with a kitchen gadget... Chef Tony doing the Miracle Blade, Ron Popiel with his Showtime Rotisserie, Jack LaLanne's Juicer, the NuWave Oven, XPress Redi-Set-Go!? We'd be entertained over and over again. George Foreman got his grill started on infomercials, you know. (Additionally, Time Life Music Collection infomercials were also a big hit.)
There is one infomercial that stands out, though, as perhaps the best. The Magic Bullet. (Part 1, Part 2) It has class, wit, charm, shock and awe wonder, and just the perfect amount of cheesiness.
My husband wants one, I think. Since introducing him to the infomercial, he's asked me on several occasions, "you think that Magic Bullet could do that?" Hm...
Anyway, I mention all of this not to show you how weird and entertainment-starved I was, but to point out that there's a recipe they show that I'd really like to try.
Peppermint Chocolate Chocolate Chip Shakes
1 handful hard peppermint candies
1 or 2 chocolate bars
1 giant giant squeeze of chocolate syrup
1 behemoth glob of vanilla ice cream
1 generous splash of cream
Put all of the ingredients (in that order) into your blender and mix 'em up.
I'm not sure how it'll taste, but I want one every time I see that infomercial. And uh... you don't need to know how often that is.
Friday, September 18, 2009
I Haven't Done This Since I Was "Studying" For Finals in College
Yes, I know these things belong on Facebook, not on blogs. But sometimes I start soul-searching and think I'll discover more about myself by answering these things.
I put the I in egotist.
1. What bill do you hate paying the most? Health insurance. I think we spend loads more in insurance than we ever would on doctor bills. But still we buy it, because "what if?"
2. Where was the last place you had a romantic dinner? At the river. My husband, the river, and Chinese take-out. What more could a girl want?
3. What do you really want to be doing right now? Quilting. I've never done it, but I think it'd be awesome.
4. How many colleges did you attend? Two: Franciscan University of Steubenville (B.A.) and University of Dallas (Ph.D. dropout)
5. Why did you choose the shirt that you have on right now? It's comfy and reminds me of good times (one of my trips to London).
6. What are your thoughts on gas prices? I don't have to pay them. Um, yay.
7. First thought when the alarm went off this morning? Morning Offering.
8. Last thought before going to sleep last night? "Thank you, Lord."
9. Do you miss being a child? No. Children can't be married.
10. What errand/chore do you despise? I passionately dislike scrubbing the tub. And, oddly enough, I hate going to the bank.
11. Get up early or sleep in? Um, well... I've slept in a lot lately. My husband gets up early. This has got to stop. (Which one? hehe)
12. Have you found real love yet? AND HOW!!
13. Favorite lunch meat? Pastrami. But I also have a soft spot for roast beef.
14. What do you get every time you go into Wal-Mart? Razors. It's pretty much the only reason I go there, and I don't know why I don't get them elsewhere.
15. Beach or lake? River.
16. Mountains or plains? Mountains are stinkin' gorgeous, but they spawn bad weather in the winter. Plains make the sky stinkin' gorgeous but they have tornadoes. They're both amazing, though. I love the earth. It's a great place to live.
17. Sopranos or Desperate Housewives? I don't have tv. And if I did, I wouldn't watch either.
18. What famous person would you like to have dinner with? Alice von Hildebrand. I wish I were her best friend.
19. Have you ever gotten a speeding ticket? Yes. I'm not proud of it.
20. Ever had to use a fire extinguisher? No, but I was tempted so many times to pull the fire alarm in college. I didn't want the fire department to come (and waste their time or charge the college $$), I just wanted the thrill of evacuating a big building.
21. Ring tone? It came with the phone and sounds like a lame exercise video from the 90's.
22. Non-sinful confession? I watched Barney for years as a teen. And I liked it.
23. Somewhere you've never been and would like to go? (possible) To see the Redwoods in CA, or Mt. Rainier in WA, or Glacier National Park in MT. (unlikely) Russia
23. Do you go to church? I go like it's my job ;)
24. At this point in your life would you rather start a new career or a new relationship? Um... I like my "career." I wouldn't mind more friends, though.
25. How old are you? I am not 5 and 20.
26. Do you have a go-to person? Jesus.
27. Are you where you want to be in life? Not quite.
28. Growing up, what were your favorite cartoons? Pinky & The Brain, Garfield and Friends, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Ghost Busters, Aladdin, Chip & Dale Rescue Rangers, Tale Spin, Goof Troop, Duck Tales, Tiny Toons, Animaniacs, Care Bears... shall I keep going?
29. What about you do you think has changed the most? My self-control. I used to have an iron will. Now it's more like... pre-baked Sculpey.
30. Looking back at high school, were they the best years of your life? Yes. So were my infancy, toddlerhood, elementary school, middle school, college years, graduate school, and now! I've had an amazing life.
32. Did you ever own troll dolls? No. Even as a kid I thought they were ugly. They were definitely a status symbol in elementary school, but I thought the hair felt gross and was scandalized by the fact that they were naked.
33. Did you have a pager? No.
34. Where was the hang out spot when you were a teenager? Um... my room. My siblings and I spent a lot of time there.
35. Were you the type of kid you would want your children to hang out with? Oh yes. Definitely. I had it together. :D
36. Was there a teacher or authority figure that stood out for you? My parents, my husband, Pope John Paul II, Fr. B, (and from college) Dr. Bergsma, Dr. Crosby, Dr. Colosi, Sr. Johanna, Dr. Harold, Prof. Sirilla, Fr. Dan Pattee. These are my heroes.
37. Do you tell stories that start with “when I was your age"? I didn't think I ever would, but I do.
38. How often do you go grocery shopping? I usually wait until I have to make a dinner out of brown gravy mix, pickles and baby carrots. That's my cue that it's time to go shopping.
39. Can you change a flat tire? I'm sure I could. I never have, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
40. What are some things that annoy you? When people answer their cell phone or start texting when I'm talking to them. And the sight and sound of someone eating with his mouth open.
I put the I in egotist.
---------
1. What bill do you hate paying the most? Health insurance. I think we spend loads more in insurance than we ever would on doctor bills. But still we buy it, because "what if?"
2. Where was the last place you had a romantic dinner? At the river. My husband, the river, and Chinese take-out. What more could a girl want?
3. What do you really want to be doing right now? Quilting. I've never done it, but I think it'd be awesome.
4. How many colleges did you attend? Two: Franciscan University of Steubenville (B.A.) and University of Dallas (Ph.D. dropout)
5. Why did you choose the shirt that you have on right now? It's comfy and reminds me of good times (one of my trips to London).
6. What are your thoughts on gas prices? I don't have to pay them. Um, yay.
7. First thought when the alarm went off this morning? Morning Offering.
8. Last thought before going to sleep last night? "Thank you, Lord."
9. Do you miss being a child? No. Children can't be married.
10. What errand/chore do you despise? I passionately dislike scrubbing the tub. And, oddly enough, I hate going to the bank.
11. Get up early or sleep in? Um, well... I've slept in a lot lately. My husband gets up early. This has got to stop. (Which one? hehe)
12. Have you found real love yet? AND HOW!!
13. Favorite lunch meat? Pastrami. But I also have a soft spot for roast beef.
14. What do you get every time you go into Wal-Mart? Razors. It's pretty much the only reason I go there, and I don't know why I don't get them elsewhere.
15. Beach or lake? River.
16. Mountains or plains? Mountains are stinkin' gorgeous, but they spawn bad weather in the winter. Plains make the sky stinkin' gorgeous but they have tornadoes. They're both amazing, though. I love the earth. It's a great place to live.
17. Sopranos or Desperate Housewives? I don't have tv. And if I did, I wouldn't watch either.
18. What famous person would you like to have dinner with? Alice von Hildebrand. I wish I were her best friend.
19. Have you ever gotten a speeding ticket? Yes. I'm not proud of it.
20. Ever had to use a fire extinguisher? No, but I was tempted so many times to pull the fire alarm in college. I didn't want the fire department to come (and waste their time or charge the college $$), I just wanted the thrill of evacuating a big building.
21. Ring tone? It came with the phone and sounds like a lame exercise video from the 90's.
22. Non-sinful confession? I watched Barney for years as a teen. And I liked it.
23. Somewhere you've never been and would like to go? (possible) To see the Redwoods in CA, or Mt. Rainier in WA, or Glacier National Park in MT. (unlikely) Russia
23. Do you go to church? I go like it's my job ;)
24. At this point in your life would you rather start a new career or a new relationship? Um... I like my "career." I wouldn't mind more friends, though.
25. How old are you? I am not 5 and 20.
26. Do you have a go-to person? Jesus.
27. Are you where you want to be in life? Not quite.
28. Growing up, what were your favorite cartoons? Pinky & The Brain, Garfield and Friends, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Ghost Busters, Aladdin, Chip & Dale Rescue Rangers, Tale Spin, Goof Troop, Duck Tales, Tiny Toons, Animaniacs, Care Bears... shall I keep going?
29. What about you do you think has changed the most? My self-control. I used to have an iron will. Now it's more like... pre-baked Sculpey.
30. Looking back at high school, were they the best years of your life? Yes. So were my infancy, toddlerhood, elementary school, middle school, college years, graduate school, and now! I've had an amazing life.
32. Did you ever own troll dolls? No. Even as a kid I thought they were ugly. They were definitely a status symbol in elementary school, but I thought the hair felt gross and was scandalized by the fact that they were naked.
33. Did you have a pager? No.
34. Where was the hang out spot when you were a teenager? Um... my room. My siblings and I spent a lot of time there.
35. Were you the type of kid you would want your children to hang out with? Oh yes. Definitely. I had it together. :D
36. Was there a teacher or authority figure that stood out for you? My parents, my husband, Pope John Paul II, Fr. B, (and from college) Dr. Bergsma, Dr. Crosby, Dr. Colosi, Sr. Johanna, Dr. Harold, Prof. Sirilla, Fr. Dan Pattee. These are my heroes.
37. Do you tell stories that start with “when I was your age"? I didn't think I ever would, but I do.
38. How often do you go grocery shopping? I usually wait until I have to make a dinner out of brown gravy mix, pickles and baby carrots. That's my cue that it's time to go shopping.
39. Can you change a flat tire? I'm sure I could. I never have, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
40. What are some things that annoy you? When people answer their cell phone or start texting when I'm talking to them. And the sight and sound of someone eating with his mouth open.
---------------
Oh, and because it's Friday, don't forget about your free chocolate.
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Get a free sample of Total Blueberry Pomegranate Cereal just for the asking.
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Get a free sample of Total Blueberry Pomegranate Cereal just for the asking.
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