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2005-06-24: tagged!
I've been tagged by Liz of Truffle Mutt for the Cookbook meme and Alice of My Adventures in the Breadbox for the Cook Next Door meme. I thought with today being so horribly hot out (40 C/104 F with the humidex) it would be nice to not cook, but rather to just bask in the comfort of the cranked air conditioning and write.
Total number of cook/food books I've owned:
That would depend entirely on who you ask: “too many” if you ask my husband and “not nearly enough” if you ask me. But you want an actual numerical value? Over my lifetime, maybe 75 or more, I would estimate. Currently, there are more than two big huge banana boxes full of cookbooks sitting by my front door. I have been packing for three weeks solid for our impending move and getting to the actual books might be impossible right now. Therefore this is all going to be written from memory.
Last cook/food book(s) I bought (well, the last two):
1) S. lovingly bought me The French Laundry Cookbook for our six-monthaversary last weekend, and I can’t wait to try the recipe for Grano-Padano Crisps with Goat Cheese Mousse. YUM.
2) On the way home from work last night I managed to score a copy of Donna Hay’s “Entertaining” (on sale – less than half price!). It has some really fantastic looking coffee-based recipes that will come in handy for July’s SHF (not yet announced, but being hosted by Ronald).
Last cook/food book I read:
The French Laundry Cookbook – I read it cover-to-cover on Sunday night, before going to sleep. I had the best dreams that night and woke up absolutely starving.
Five cook books that mean a lot to me:
1) Nigella Lawson’s How to be a Domestic Goddess. It is my inspiration, my bible…my all-time-favourite cookbook. The recipes are simple but impressive, the photography is great and her writing is fantastic. The passion she feels for food just drips from every page – it really is an incredible read.
2) Chocolate Desserts by Pierre Hermé. The recipes are very detailed and easy to follow and always result in unique, decadent desserts. I have made about six desserts from it and each time they turn out exactly as he has described – no surprises and no disappointments whatsoever.
3) Although it’s not a formal cookbook, my mom’s home made “recipe book” really is quite amazing – it’s packed with recipes for every course from delicious cocktails to delectable desserts.
4) Any and all of my Donna Hay cookbooks (I think the collection now includes Entertaining, Classics 2, The New Cook and New Food Fast). That woman is an artist in the kitchen. Just picking up one of her cookbooks inspires me to run into the kitchen and start cooking or baking.
5) William’s Sonoma’s Essentials of Baking – it really is a “beginners guide”, but whenever I want to make something like pastry or a simple batch of cookies I will turn to this book. It’s simple, has great recipes as well as some excellent substitution ideas.
I just realized that four out of five of the books I have listed have wonderful photography in them... I guess I truly do eat with my eyes.
Which 5 people would you most like to see fill this out in their blog?
I think just about everyone has been tagged for this, so I think I’ll leave it at that. Actually, if you want to see just who has been tagged for this meme, check out Ana’s chronology.
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And now for "The Cook Next Door" (created by Nicky of Delicious Days).
What is your first memory of baking/cooking on your own?
At my cottage, when I was probably about 6 or 7 I managed to make a huge mess in the kitchen while my mom was on a walk with my dad. I don’t think I cooked anything edible per se…but I did pretend the entire time that I had my own cooking show. It was quite the endeavor, all beaten eggs (uncooked) and lots of spices and a whole bag of flour. My mom just laughed at me when they got back…I think she was touched in that way only a parent can be.
Who had the most influence on your cooking?
My mom was the first person who taught me to cook, showed me the ropes and helped me inch my way along in the kitchen. She showed me what she was doing when she baked, making me more and more curious every day about how to magically create cookies or pie from butter, eggs and flour. Later, my dad was an incredible influence simply by wanting to try everything I cooked or baked. To every dish I made, his response was “This is delicious!”…which was such an ego-boost (one he may live to regret someday soon…).
Do you have an old photo as evidence of an early exposure to the culinary world and would you like to share it?
I’m sure there are a few – but I’ve packed my photo albums now. There is this great photo of me at age 5 with chocolate all over my face…my love of food started at a very early age.
Mageiricophobia - do you suffer from any cooking phobia, a dish that makes your palms sweat?
I don’t know. I think the only real kitchen-related phobia I have is food poisoning. Having had salmonella (not from my own cooking!) once about 15 years ago and had an illness similar to a very serious E.Coli infection I fear the horrific effects of undercooked meats and unpasteurized juice or milk. I do eat raw fish however, on a regular basis though so my fears cannot be that deep-seeded. I don’t know that there is anything I am afraid to cook…maybe a few people I am afraid to cook for.
What would be your most valued or used kitchen gadgets and/or what was the biggest letdown?
I absolutely love my Kitchen Aid mixer. A totally unexpected gift from my mom two Christmases ago, it resides in it’s regal spot on my counter and is used almost every day. Other than that? I like my utensils a lot too – I have tons of them from whisks to wooden spoons to spatulas (and many replicas of each one as well!) and they live right next to the Kitchen Aid in large canisters…within arms reach at all times.
A letdown though? Maybe the gorgeous hand-made chopsticks that were a gift a few years ago from a friend…they’re just too pretty and too slippery to use for eating. But, they are great for holding my hair up off my face!
Name some funny or weird food combinations/dishes you really like - and probably no one else!
Peanut butter and lettuce sandwiches. I don’t even know when I started eating them but that heavenly combination of the creamy taste of peanut butter with the crisp cool taste of (iceberg only, please!) the lettuce in every bite…oooh..it’s good.
What are the three eatables or dishes you simply don't want to live without?
Sushi – from the first bite about 8 years ago I have not looked back
Coffee – on it’s own or as an ingredient it is heavenly
Arrowroot cookies….I can’t seem to get enough of them (I ate a whole section from the box while writing these answers!).
Three quickies:
Your favorite ice-cream?
Ben & Jerry's New York Super Fudge Crunch…I’m trying to come up with a cookie recipe to match!
You will probably never eat?
Head Cheese. It is so not cheese. Oh, and Sweetbreads. So not bread. And so not sweet.
Your own signature dish?
I have a delicious salad (that I have not written about yet!) that I am always asked to bring to picnics and family dinners. I am also frequently asked to bring desserts of all kinds…my mom has already begged me to make my s’mores on more than one occasion and has raved about them to various people.
Question added by Zarah: On average, how many times a week would you cook something to satisfy your sweet tooth?
My sweet tooth? Rarely. My husband’s sweet tooth – if he had his way? Every day. I really don’t have a sweet tooth to be honest, and when I do, a banana will satiate it just fine. I crave to bake though, if not to eat and I will do that on average once a week…what a lucky husband I have!
Question added by Cathy: What do you usually eat for breakfast?
Either a home made muffin or a fruit smoothie…nothing too exciting as I am usually running out the door to get to work. On the odd weekend morning we indulge in pancakes, scones or eggs…but not that often.
And, last but not least: Tag three people!
Again, I think that I am probably the last person to be passed this meme. If you haven't been tagged and want to post your own answers to either of these memes, please do and let me know!
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