When did you first get in to cooking and do you remember the first recipe you tried?
I've been cooking and baking with my family for as long as I can remember. We would have cookie baking marathons at Christmas time. I'd stand on a stool in my grandma's kitchen and help her make mashed potatoes or roll out pie crust. The first recipe I remember trying on my own was for Alton Brown's granola--a recipe I still make because it's that delicious.
What's your kitchen like and how do you keep organized when cooking?
I don't? I wish I could say I have a huge, super-organized kitchen, but we rent and while our kitchen is newly remodeled and beautiful, it's tiny and insanely un-user friendly. We have no pantry, only a handful of cabinets, and the majority of my ingredients and pots/pans are stashed on a set of Rubbermaid shelves across the dining room. I try to make the most of it, though, and keep my space relatively clean as I cook. Unfortunately I'm efficient but far from tidy, so that doesn't always work out!
What tips would you give to someone wanting to become a better cook?
Just start. Never, ever be afraid to try something new. Pick your favorite food to eat, track down a good recipe, and try it. Have fun with it, though. Turn on some music, be prepared to fail, and rejoice when everything works out. Having a glass of wine or a good cocktail nearby doesn't hurt, either.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party and what would you cook for them?
My family and friends. We live close to my immediate family, but we've got a good number of friends and family members spread out across the country. I'd love to have everyone over, cook a huge meal of comfort foods (probably pasta), and make way too many desserts. Making way too much dessert is a real specialty of mine.
Do you do any other crafts and what are your hobbies?
I enjoy sewing and quilting, and I DIY'd just about everything for our wedding in September 2015. As for other hobbies, I love to play volleyball and read, and I coach volleyball in my spare time. My husband and I love having board game nights with our friends. And even though I do it for my blog, cooking and baking are serious hobbies of mine, as well!
Which cooking blogs do you love to read?
Smitten Kitchen, Joy the Baker, How Sweet It Is, Just a Taste, Shutterbean, Pinch of Yum, and My Name Is Yeh
Cakes
Vegetarian
