Linda's Busy Kitchen

about me

Hi Everyone,

My name is Linda. I am happily single, and I live in Durham NC. I have 2 grown sons, a dil, and 2 beautiful grandsons.

I really enjoy my time here on Zaar posting recipes, trying new recipes, taking pictures, and reviewing lots of yummy recipes!

I love to cook, and share recipes. The recipes that I share are mainly my own creations, or family recipes passed down to me from my mom and grandmother, and other family members or friends. If I post something from somewhere else, it has to sound REALLY good to me for me to post it!

Many of the dishes that I prepare are simple, good, down home cooking. Many of them originate from New England, as my grandmother is from Maine, and my mother from New Hampshire. I do also like to try making some gourmet recipes as well, using my creativity along the way.

I started cooking at a the age of 8, helping my mother and grandmother in the kitchen. My curiosity for cooking has led me to create many of my own recipes through trial and error. I hope you enjoy them as much as my family and I do

In my spare time I play on my computer collecting recipes, and have been working on creating a cookbook to publish for some time, but have put it aside for now, as I am starting a new business.

I also love to travel and shop. I love to go to the beach and mountains, and as food is a passion of mine, I love to dine out and try many different cuisines in and around Raleigh/Durham area with my dining out group, and with friends when I am traveling

I made my first herb garden this year, but have had vegetable gardens for many years in the past. Love those herbs and veggies!


My Rating System:

5 Stars ***** Outstanding recipe that I absolutely loved. It can be down home or restaurant quality, as long as it tastes great and I didn't have to make any changes along the way! Also recipe has to have clear directions. One I would definately make again and again.

4 Stars **** Great recipe that I loved, but one that I may have had to tweak just a bit. Directions may have not been crystal clear. One I would make again and again with my changes.

3 Stars *** I liked the recipe, but had to add ingredients, or add more of a called for ingredient to have the recipe come out the way I like it. I would probably make again sometime.

2 Stars ** This recipe was ok, but I probably wouldn't make it again due to lack of taste, undesireable texture, or unclear directions etc.

1 Star * This recipe was one I didn't like at all. Either the amounts of ingredients were wrong (too little flavor or too much of one/some of the ingredients in the recipe), or the recipe didn't come out right following the directions given. Lack of directions.

No Stars - I have tried the recipe in the past and want to make a comment, or I am adding a comment about the recipe posted, possibly a tip or what I feel to be important information about the recipe.

Favorite Foods:

My favorite cookbook is my old standby Betty Crocker's. She and I have met many times between the pages of her book, and she also helped me learn the basics of cooking, and has been a constant companion for many years in my kitchen. My mom got it for me when I left home to go out on my own at 18. The pages are tattered and spattered, but I sure do love it!

I enjoy making and cooking many different types of food. From simple one dish recipes to Gourmet Delights.

I love spicy foods, not necessarily hot, hot spicy, where the flavor is drowned by hot, but spicy with lots of good flavor.

I love Thai, Chinese, Greek, Italian and Mexican cuisines, and enjoy many seafood, beef, pork, and chicken dishes alot.

My favorite restaurant is "The 103" in Rochester, NH...If you are ever in the area, stop in, and you will see for yourself why...I love the BBQ ribs, and prime rib there, but everything else is great too!

: