When did you first get in to cooking and do you remember the first recipe you tried?
I grew up with both of my grandmothers and my mom being fabulous cooks. They kept me in the kitchen with them often and I learned a lot from each one of them. My mom makes great meatloaf and meatballs, my moms mom made great lasagna and stuffed shells and my dads mom makes the best mashed potatoes, agnolotti and fresh bread.
I cooked a lot growing up, but the first recipe I really remember "officially" was the first time I cooked for my husband. It was a french onion soup and he loved it. I was hooked from then on!
What's your kitchen like and how do you keep organized when cooking?
My husbands job moves us around the world and two years ago, we moved to Virginia and fully renovated the house we currently live in. I was blessed to be able to renovate this kitchen exactly how I wanted it. There is so much natural light and I was able to put everything where I wanted it for easy access and good organization.
I love cleaning as I go, so as soon as I am done with something, I clean it real quick and toss it in the drying rack. I love not having a ton of dishes to clean after we eat!
What tips would you give to someone wanting to become a better cook?
Do not be nervous to try a new recipe, cuisine or technique! Follow the instructions and if you are unfamiliar with an ingredient or technique, do some research on it!
Its perfectly normal to fail while you are learning. Everyone has made something wrong, burned something, under cooked something... etc, but if you don't try, you will never become familiar with the process. The best thing to do after you figure out something didn't turn out how you wanted it is to toss it and try again. The next time is always a little better!
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party and what would you cook for them?
My favorite actors Emily Blunt and Denzel Washington, my favorite chef Ina Garten, my favorite sportswoman Anky van Grunsven and my favorite person, Nate Blackburn (my wonderful husband).
I would start with some ceviche, serve a big dish of my enchilada suizas for the main course and end with a light tiramisu and espressos for dessert.
Do you do any other crafts and what are your hobbies?
We love to renovate, so now that our home is finished, we love to help friends with their projects. I love working with horses and I also practice Jiu Jitsu.
Which cooking blogs do you love to read?
Tieghan Gerard's Half Baked Harvest is one of my favs.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Cooking can be so much fun when you try new things and push yourself out of your comfort zone. You will never know what you will love until you try it!
Cakes
