When did you first get in to cooking and do you remember the first recipe you tried?
I think the first recipe I followed was for some sort of dessert. For Christmas one year my mom and dad got me the "Now You're Cooking" baking set and I remember making a lot of things with those toys. It was this funky teal and hot pink set where everything had a dual purpose: the rolling pin was also a piping tool. It was really fun!
What's your kitchen like and how do you keep organized when cooking?
I like everything to have it's own space so my countertops are always pretty free. The only thing that sits out is the coffee machine. Other than that, everything's behind doors. It makes me feel a little more organized - even if what's behind the doors is a bit chaotic. While cooking, I like to take out all of my ingredients at once so they're right on hand. I also do my prep really close to the sink so I can easily throw organic waste into the garbage disposal.
What tips would you give to someone wanting to become a better cook?
Always read through the entire recipe before starting. It sounds kind of silly, but sometimes I don't and I'm halfway through and I realize I don't have an ingredient on hand. Also, doing prep work before hand is a huge time saver. If you note what your most used vegetables are and always have them in the fridge already cut up (think diced onions, carrots, celery, etc) it makes it really easy to start a recipe.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party and what would you cook for them?
I'd love to have all of my family and friends over. I've been away from my home town for a while and seeing and cooking for everyone would be a blast! I'd probably do something that's DIY - think roll your own salad rolls or make your own bowl of Vietnamese vermicelli. It's easy to prep all of the ingredients before hand and everyone can customize their own meals. That way, I'm feel to mingle too!
Do you do any other crafts and what are your hobbies?
I do amigurumi (always of food) and I love photography, not just food photography. I also knit, but very basically. Usually come fall/winter, I'll knit a bunch of chunky infinity scarves.
Which cooking blogs do you love to read?
There are so many food sites that I love, I couldn't possibly name them all. There are so many lovely folks out there doing fantastic things - the creativity and talent of the food blogging world boggles my mind!
Cakes
Dessert
