What is your first memory of baking/cooking on your own?
I’m not sure if this is my “first” memory, but it is my “most” memorable I was nine years old, and home from school, alone, and sick . my mom was at work, brother and sister were at school. I was wearing a way oversized terry cloth robe. Especially the sleeves. They were real wide, and dangly, and fringed at the end of the arms.
I was making “Top Ramen” on the electric stove, when I “heard my mothers’ voice” replay in my head --- “don’t use the front burner if you cook today”.
Soooo.. being the obedient kid – ok.. being, afraid she would find out somehow, -- I went to move the pot to the back burner. Well, it only took a second to realize exactly why I wasn’t supposed to use the front burner while home alone. Yep- you guessed it… my oversized dangly ass robe sleeve brushed across the still hot burner – and went up in flames before I knew what happened !
I was standin in the kitchen, hopping and flapping my arms like a crazy person, and all that I was accomplishing was to put myself into a greater panic, and feed the flames!
Finally I looked over, and noticed the sink was full of dishes soaking! See, sometimes a dirty kitchen can be a good thing --- so I ran over, tossed a few over to the other side, and dumped my arm into the water.
Aside from being very scared of what just happened, and afraid I was gonna get in trouble, I wasn’t burned or hurt.
That was very scary btw-
Who had the most influence on your cooking?
Starvation? Poverty? Not sure, but it was do or die. Somehow I got lucky- and creative, and turned out to be a damn fine chef au natural ;))
I can’t bake though.. but I can cook anything.
Do you have an old photo as “evidence” of an early exposure to the culinary world and would you like to share it?
Not that I can think of right now—I’ll have a look around.
Mageiricophobia - do you suffer from any cooking phobia, a dish that makes your palms sweat?
Dessert for company!
Ugh.
It’s not my specialty, but I always want anything I cook for someone to be really good. So baking- or dessert etc, makes me more nervous than anything else.
What would be your most valued or used kitchen gadgets and/or what was the biggest letdown?
Most valued utensil:
Spatula..tongs, and a slotted spoon.
And LORD knows—my coffee pot !!!
Biggest letdown:
this one is easy-
it was the first time I had met my in-laws. Literally.. the very next morning. We had gone out to NM to their house, and I was getting coffee, and offered my mom in law a cup. She wanted sugar in it. she had a HUGE lazy susan on the counter with clear glass containers filled with spices etc on it. one of them had “sugar” in it. sooo, I fix up her light sweet coffee, and take it to her, then go back to the kitchen for mine.
Suddenly, I hear a “gasp”.. then “salt” …
OMG.. how embarrassing. I had put salt in her coffee!
Welcome to the family soul! You ass. :))
She still loves me though.
Appliance I would like:
A chest –type- freezer.
Name some funny or weird food combinations/dishes you really like - and probably no one else!
I put A1 steak sauce on my eggs
Gravy on French fries
And salt on ANY melon or citrus fruit
What are three edibles or dishes you simply don't want to live without?
Coffee
Guacamole
steak
Your favorite ice-cream: java chocolate chip--it is ever changing and not a favorite
You will probably never eat: rocky mountain oysters
Your own signature dish: I have too many to think of one right now.
Any embarrassing eating habits?
Sometimes I eat way too fast. Sometimes I realize it and slow down.. other times I don’t notice until I realize I am the first one done. My stomach pays for it too. Not sure why it happens, just does.
