Citruholic

about me

I am studying as a chef, but have been a baker for years and years. Cakes, cookies, wedding cakes (baking and decorating), pastries, candies, chocolates...you name it...I've probably made it.
I planted an herb garden 2 seasons ago and really enjoyed it and having been doing so ever since. I had fresh herbs all summer long and an abundance to dry and "put up" for the winter. Nothing beats your own fresh rosemary, basil, thyme and savory, sage, mint, oregano. I have five huge rosemary bushes that are thriving outside, despite frigid weather (it's quite hardy!). Rosemary is probably my favorite herb.
I love to infuse oils...the safe way. I infuse them right before I cook with them, either with garlic or herbs or both. I love making simple syrups (I always use the 2 to 1 ratio: 2 cups of sugar to 1 cup of water...it IS a syrup). I love it in hot tea and in a variety of drinks...even homemade ice creams. I've infused simple syrups with rosemary, lemon, apple mint, lime and lavender. All were fantastic with a cup of, for instance, blood orange/pomegranate green tea, or even basic teas or plain green teas. They do wonders for iced teas also. Try sweetening your lemonade with a basil simple syrup, it's great! I always have them on hand. They take up a huge amount of refrigerator space, but I cannot do without them.

I am an amateur photographer and just got my new Canon XSi 450D Rebel and am having such a great time with it. I'm currently experimenting with macro photography with some great lens diopters. So when I make a recipe and it comes out looking nice, I'll have a really detailed picture of it, lol.

More as time goes by. This was a quick jot.

I Was Adopted banner:

Favorite Foods:

Anything Italian. Garlic/Rosemary chicken, Parmesan crusted pork chops, herb-stuffed pork chops, old-fashioned grilled hamburgers, Ribeye, fresh veggies with a "snap" to them, fresh salad greens (with dried cranberries, toasted or candied nuts, cheese like Parmigiano Reggiano or feta), and delicious sliced pears or strawberries, pastas of all kinds (love orzo and risotto), Israeli couscous, and I've never met a dessert I didn't like. Love the simplicity of fresh fruit drizzled with a reduced balsamic glaze (strawberries, oranges, pears, berries of any kind), YUM! Or an Italian Mascarpone cheesecake drizzled with warmed Nutella. Homemade cranberry/orange or lemon scones, cream cheese pound cake, lemon pound cake....anything citrus...the list goes on.

http://