Cooking has always been in my blood… I believe, I’ve always loved to cook. And I believe, I owe it to my Mom, and my Grandmother, and my Nana. Sure, I grew up on the usual budget meals of the day like Tuna Casserole and American Goulash. My Mom would make our lunches every morning for school… sometimes bologna and American cheese or PB&J sandwiches, you know the drill (although, grilled cheese sandwiches with cream of tomato soup was sublime after a day in the snow and sledding). But I’ve got to tell you, the box of raisins she’d include as the “healthy snack” couldn’t be traded for anything! Thanks, Mom, for giving me no lunchroom leverage. 😉
We were too young to use the stove top on our own, but on Sundays, my sister, Jill and I, would get up early and crayon our menu for the “world famous in New Jersey” Two Sisters Restaurant. My parents like to use Sunday “sleep in” or just have some quiet time reading the paper. Our pre fixe menu, at the time, included what was available in the kitchen, such as oatmeal cookies, Raisin Bran, or donuts, and we’d bring it room service style to them.
But a lot of it changed when my Mom bought one of Julia Child’s cookbooks—I’m guessing both in my culinary world as well as in my Mom’s. But it wasn’t just me, but also Jill. Shortly thereafter, we were promoted to use of the stove (still with Mom’s supervision) and we made our first “professional” menu of French Onion soup and Minced lamb paddies, with a side of broccoli—all from Julia’s cookbook.
It wasn’t easy during my single years in my 20s to have the motivation to cook for only myself, but I never lost the love. Any opportunity to entertain a group of people, I’d comb over my cookbooks and devise a menu that was sure to be total yum!
Flash forward to when I met my now super, wonderful husband, Carl. I was lucky enough to find someone who learned to enjoy cooking with me as well. He is my so-called sous chef and we love to get the music going, pour a glass of wine, and get busy cooking!
I hoping you’ve found my blog because you also share a passion for food. I look forward to the journey we’ll take together as we explore cooking—and also the world around us that includes family, friends we already know, meeting new friends along the way, and memories.
Great beginning to your blog and I will look forward to your future postings. Yes we are a colorful group sitting on the sofa! 😊