When did you first get in to cooking and do you remember the first recipe you tried?
I baked in the kitchen with my mom from such an early age that I can’t even remember when I started. I remember my 1st failure though. I got a cookbook out of the library when I was about seven years old and tried to make creamy mints. They took egg whites, and I put the whole egg in. They were supposed to harden in an hour or so and I remember begging my mom to let them harden “just a few days more”…convinced that eventually they would be ok.
What's your kitchen like and how do you keep organized when cooking?
I’m a neat-freak in the kitchen. I have everything perfectly organized based on how and when I use it. I put ingredients away as I go and wash dishes in any spare moments. I hate finishing a recipe and having to clean up for an hour after. That said…my kitchen floor is perpetually covered in a variety of sprinkles and crumbs…. Haha! I’m currently working with the Navajo in NE Arizona and getting this little kitchen I’ve been given the use of into working order is driving me nuts. Everything is in the wrong place!!! It’s probably good for me…
What tips would you give to someone wanting to become a better cook?
Well, I barely cook. I mostly bake. To be better at baking you just need to do it. Try new recipes, especially ones with new ingredients or techniques in them. Be ok with failure. Once you find a recipe you like, try experimenting with it. Does it have a yummy caramel sauce? Think about what else you could use that sauce for.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party and what would you cook for them?
Oh my word. I need lots of practice at cooking. I seriously heat a can of soup up while I experiment with a new cheesecake recipe. SO, who would I dream to have over and share desserts and coffee with?
The top of my list would be my grandparents who passed away a few years ago. I’d give anything to be able to sit and chat with them again. I’d make a collection of little mini desserts and have coffee. I also would love to meet Miss Kay from Duck Dynasty. I’m not sure squirrel goes well with cupcakes though…?
Do you do any other crafts and what are your hobbies?
I love photography, graphic design and writing. I like to read, design logos, spend time with friends, and travel. I have lots of hobbies and I’m very passionate about teaching young people about God and the love He has for them. I’m working alongside a church in the Navajo Nation right now, and it is fascinating to learn about the culture, food, traditions and beliefs of the native Americans. Love it!
Cakes
Pasta
