My Cooking Journey
Since I was a little kid I have always liked to be in the kitchen – sometimes helping to bake or cook and sometimes just to eat. Until 5th grade I lived in Florida close to my Nana, Grandma and a lot of other relatives.
As a child you don’t realize how much you are learning when you are just having fun helping in the kitchen. I have such vivid memories of my Nana helping her bake everything from chocolate chip cookies to snickerdoodles to the most delicious fudge I have ever eaten. Those recipes are still ones I make today and always take me back to her kitchen in Florida.
At my Grandma’s house I learned how to set a formal table (who knew how many times over the years that would be useful – I always know which fork or spoon to use). She taught us how to have an appetizer ready to serve for guests (sometimes just a simple cheese and cracker tray – I still make mine with gouda today like she did) and made the most amazing mushroom rice.
All of this time I spent with my them influenced my early baking and cooking memories.
After we moved to Georgia I didn’t spend a ton of time in the kitchen as I got busy with after school activities, but I did continue to bake off and on. My family always ate dinner together every night unless you had a school or activity commitment. Those meals meant a lot to me over the years and it was nice for everyone to eat together, talk and laugh – the tv was never allowed to be on. Of course now, I eat in front of the tv most of the time.
Once I went to college I realized I needed to learn how to cook more things and began to collect cookbooks and recipes. I started off small just trying little things and nothing crazy but I have always been able to follow a recipe pretty well.
After college I started cooking more and over the years I realized how much I love cooking. Although, when I was dating someone new I normally said I didn’t cook much, as I never wanted to be with someone who would expect me to cook every meal. I remember growing up with both my Mom and Dad cooking which was nice and is what I want.
The more I cook the better I become at it. I have used cookbooks, websites, cooking classes and of course Pinterest to learn new cooking techniques and recipes. Not everything I make comes out perfect but the majority of the time it is good.
I would now consider myself a pretty good cook who isn’t afraid to try new things. What began as a love for baking has grown into so much more. I hope I inspire you to try a new recipe in your kitchen.
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