little_wing

about me

I am a single mom of a 14 yr old (also on Zaar as sweetschef, although the cooking bug hasn't really taken hold yet) and work as a CT technologist at hospital and at a cancer facility. I don't see cooking as a chore though, I really do enjoy it. I love trying new recipes and am trying to conquer my intimidation of unfamiliar foods. We grew up with a very basic rotation of meals and all vegetables were out of a can, so I sometimes am at a loss for how to choose and prepare new kinds of fresh produce or select a good cut of meat. I always hear about how you should make good friends with your butcher, but I'm afraid of annoying anyone with access to very sharp knives, so I always take whatever is wrapped up and ready for sale.
My absolute fantasy is to have a farm. I know it will never happen: I have absolutely no connection to farm life and no experience or knowlege to make one succeed. Not to mention, I have no natural talents for any of the skills required to run one. But the idea of living off the land, living simply and being self-sufficient is utterly appealing. I'd love to be able to grow my own food, learn to can and make locally-remarked-upon preserves. Bake bread and pies. Learn to quilt and knit and sew. Feed chickens and gather eggs. Milk cows. Rise and retire with the sun. Sit on my porch at the end of the day and...okay, you get the point. And I realize the reality isn't as romantic as I imagine, but I think it would still be a wonderful way to live. My dream man is a cross between John Walton and Charles Ingalls (too much seventies TV at a young age?) with a bit of Sam Elliot thrown in. Maybe more than a bit! If I ever win the lottery, I think I would quit my job and find work as a farm hand. Of course, that would require me to actually play the lottery.

I live with my somewhat idiosyncratic daughter and my reclusive boyfriend. Daughter is very picky, boyfriend will eat anything, but isn't exactly overly effusive either. I, of course, am the normal one. We have some interesting uh..."discussions".

My rating system: To be honest, I never give 2 stars or less because of the chance it was a mistake I made with the recipe. Besides which, I am a coward. In those cases, I just leave a comment with no rating.
I also try to save 5 stars for recipes that are truly extraordinary.

Favorite Foods:

I love one dish meals and anything on the grill. I love roasted vegetables. I haven't found a veggie yet that didn't taste better with a little olive oil, salt and pepper and then roasted in a super hot oven. I'm wanting to learn to cook/eat healthier. I'm from the South though, so it's a whole new lifestyle for me.

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