Velouria

about me

I live in the beautiful Willamette Valley in Oregon with my husband Jack and our 5-year-old daughter Elise. I am a former elementary school teacher who gave up teaching to stay home with my daughter when she was born.

I love cooking and am one of those crazy people who read cookbooks like novels. My husband settles in for the night with a thrilling mystery novel, and I lug a 500 page cookbook to bed with me for some light reading. My cookbook collection is ever-growing, much to my husband's dismay, but I just can't stop myself. Well, as I should remind him, at least he benefits from my cookbook compulsion! That's another great thing about this site: I've found so many great recipes here that I really don't need to buy any more cookbooks! (Though I know I will. That's the nature of addiction.)

Unfortunately, I have many pet peeves. Here are just a few: people who talk loudly on their mobile phones in public places, people who talk on their mobile phones while driving (or trying to drive anyway), people who are rude to restaurant and retail workers, people who are downright cruel in their Zaar recipe reviews ("wouldn't feed it to my dog", etc.), just RUDE PEOPLE in general!

I recently became a Master Food Preserver through Oregon State University Extension Service and have kept myself busy lately preserving our wonderful local produce and also teaching others in our community safe food preservation methods.

Favorite Foods:

I have too many favorites to list. I love trying different ethnic/regional cuisines, and when we travel we like to try local cuisines. But since my parents are from Mexico, and I grew up eating authentic Mexican food, I have to say it's my favorite these days. I also have a passion for pasta (I could probably eat it every day), fish & shellfish, cheese (actually, dairy products in general), and sweets/desserts!

The only foods I can think of that I don't care for are most offal (exception: I do eat "menudo", which has tripe) and black licorice candy. Not too crazy about sushi either. I like my fish cooked.

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