Ppaperdoll

about me

I'm an American living in London since I got married in 1994 (except for a brief stint in New Jersey, and then Luxembourg). I work part-time for a national charity and also study social sciences part-time with the Open University. Keeps me busy, but I still find plenty of time to cook and search for 'zaar recipes!

Over time my cooking has meshed English and American customs together, especially at holiday time. I make a mean Christmas fruitcake complete with Fondant Icing and marzipan, but I still have a Christmas cookie party for my friends where I introduce (or subject!) them to all my favorite cookie recipes. My husband and two kids will happily eat Shepherd's Pie or Sloppy Joes, cheese and onion or grilled cheese sandwiches. The comparisons go on and on...

Favorite Foods:

One of the main inspirations for my cooking is the organic fruit and vegetable box that we get delivered every week. We're given fruit and vegetables, chosen by the company according to what's in season and up to their standard on the day. It's great, like a present every Wednesday. And sometimes there are real treasures in the box, like salsify (a funny, long white root vegetable, that tastes kind of like a jerusalem artichoke meets water chestnut, meets leek), or mangoes, or avocados.

Probably because of that, I love fresh produce of all kinds. A current favorite of mine is arugula (called "rocket" here in the UK). I serve it in everything from salads to pasta and even over pizza. I also love parsnips, which I'd never tried until I came to England. My very favorite comfort food is Yorkshire pudding. I could eat a whole pan on its own, but usually serve it with roast beef, or when I'm feeling more vegetarian, with roasted vegetables and onion gravy.

http://