Cucina Casalingo

about me

Hi, my name is Andrea.
Growing up, I lived in Northern California, but moved to Nigeria when I was a teenager. My father is a doctor, and did medical missionary work in that country for five years. On our return trip to the States, we had the privilege of visiting ten European countries. I completed high school and went on to college where I got a BA in interior design. I met my husband in my last year of college, had only one official date, and we have been married for 36 years. We moved to the Philippines where my daughter was born and then to Guam where my son was born. The Navy then moved us to the Washington DC area, and we have remained here since his retirement from service.
The travel bug bit me hard after having experienced such wonderful foreign countries while I was young. Trying foods from all the countries I visited has given me an open mind to try just about anything. I have been fortunate enough to have traveled to about 26 countries to date and tried a great variety of cuisines.
I have collected cookbooks from most of the countries I have visited and have built a library of close to 500 cookbooks. My mother gave me my first cookbook when I went off to college. It was "The Graham Kerr Cookbook" by the Galloping Gourmet. "Joy of Cooking" was a wedding gift that taught some of the basics and more. My oldest cookbook was given to me by my grandmother "The Boston Cooking-School Cook Book" by Fannie Merritt Farmer circa 1896.
Cooking, traveling, all sorts of crafting and sewing, old movies and reading are my favorite things to do.
Oh yes, I taught Weight Watchers for 20 years. Keeping a healthy weight and loving to cook and eat is a delicate balancing act!
I have two adult children. Heather and her husband live nearby. She has become a wonderful cook in her own right. My son Ryan lives in New York City and I'm afraid his cooking skills are just about nonexistent. However, he has a world of wonderful restaurants to choose from, so I don't worry. (Update on son Ryan: He has recently taken an interest in cooking as time and travel permit. I've heard he makes a killer guacamole.)

Favorite Foods:

Favorite Foods:
It would be easier to list the foods I don't like because I like almost all foods. I am a cook that prepares dishes from scratch using seasonal fruits and veggies, herbs from my garden, and the freshest ingredients possible. I rarely cook the same dish twice because there are too many interesting dishes I'd like to try.
Food from the Mediterranean countries is wonderful and usually healthy. Mexican and South Western foods are terrific. Asian food is fantastic, but I am not very skilled in preparing it.
I love to bake, but usually have only a little taste and let my family and friends enjoy what I've made. I have a husband who can eat anything and everything and doesn't gain weight!
Since my children are no longer at home, I struggle with preparing too much out of habit. My husband and I eat out often because there are so many great restaurants in the Washington DC area.
Although I'm new to Recipezaar, I have enjoyed finding and trying new recipes and learning about the great people who are contributors to this fantastic website. Thanks to all!

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