Fruit'n'herbs

about me

I'm a Canadian,but living in Hawaii at the moment. For the first time in my life I'm able to have a herb garden and have fresh fruit growing in my tiny yard. What a treat! I'm still learning my way around using fresh herbs because buying them seemed like a special treat I would only allow myself occassionally. It's been great to be able to come onto Recipe Zaar and look up new ways to use fresh sage or thyme, etc. I felt that the least I could do was to express my thanks to the people who took the time to write out the recipes I have tried.
My husband and I,have one son living with us and he is attending Highschool in Hawaii. We also have a daughter in University, in Ontario and our oldest son just graduated from University and has his first "real" job in BC. It is a time of change and that includes cooking.
Favorite cookbooks? Better Homes and Gardens Complete cookbook helped with basics and standby meals while the kids were growing up. One of best and now tattered cookbooks that has served me well, when entertaining or trying to make something special is a book I bought when I was in college called, Supercook's Cookbook. And I've been happily surprised with Weight Watchers New Complete cookbook.
Other than cooking, I've enjoyed drawing, painting, gardening and tend to devour a book or two a week, mostly non-fiction. Favorite books would include anything by Joseph Campbell, "The Holographic Universe" by Michael Talbot, "God is a Verb" by rabbi David Cooper. In the fiction catagory "Steppenwolf" by Herman Hesse, and for a giggle, "The Star Dairies" by Stanislaw Lem. For sheer amazement, Plato's Republic ! I'm also an old movie buff and recently have learned to laugh at myself while I attempt to body surf.

Favorite Foods:

One of my favorite dishes to cook is a recently acquired Barefoot Contessa Chicken on top of roasted vegetables. It's great for casual entertaining because not only is it really good, it is all in one roasting pan. I can get it all ready in the morning, throw it together and pop it in the oven and an hour and a half later, dinner is ready. This way I'm not stuck in the kitchen and can enjoy my time with my company.
I guess within my family I'm famous for my Ceasar Salad, which I've been making for 20 years. (Supercooks cookbook) and also for my Bacardi Rum Cake, which is a must have at Christmas and became an expected gift for a few friends over the years. I've found similar recipes for both of these dishes in recipe zaar, otherwise I would have posted them. The older kids have called home and asked for the w.w. Thai coconut chicken recipe, my lasagna recipe and yea, the ceasar salad recipe. The two older ones are surpassing Mom with thier cooking abilities, which I think is just great !

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