Pinot Grigio

about me

About me - I'm a Mom to 3 kids (a toddler, a pre-schooler, and a college student) and 1 husband! I love to cook for my family but they are picky! Well, my husband will eat almost anything but sometimes gives me the "look" after I tell him what we're having. I eat fish, but not any meat so to keep it simple, I mainly cook Vegetarian at home.

Favorite Cookbooks - too many to list, but right now I'm really liking the Food you Crave by Ellie Krieger. Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone by Deborah Madison is my stand-by and Family Style & Barefoot in Paris by Barefoot Contessa are my splurges.

Passions - Food in general. I'm always thinking about what I'm going to make or eat next. I love cooking with fresh ingredients. I'm a label reader. I want to know what I'm eating & where it was made. I love getting my kids involved in the kitchen & trying new recipes. I want my kids to see how fun cooking can be.

Pet peeves - Waking up to dirty dishes in the kitchen, wasted food, artificial flavors and ingredients, gelatin, and ingredients that I have no idea what they are. And trends in food labeling - first it was fat free, then low-carb and now no trans-fat! Enough already!

What I do for fun - I read cookbooks & travel books. I love to plan special meals & vacations with my family. My favorite place to vacation is Walt Disney World. I also like to window shop on-line. I'm a bargain hunter & I hardly ever buy anything if it's not on sale.

Where I live - Originally from Upstate NY, we currently live outside Tokyo, Japan but have lived all over and have a special fondness for Maryland crab cakes, British pub grub, Ledo Pizza, cheese curds, Labatt's Blue & Scrumpy Jack cider.

Favorite Foods:

Favorite cuisines - Italian, Thai, Indian, Tex-Mex, California & Pacific Northwest, Bistro-style Vegetarian, New England Seafood & good old American comfort foods!

Ingredients I love - garlic, basil, artichokes, olives, capers, beans, mushrooms, shallots, chilis, cashews & macadamias, lemons, bananas, cheese (goat, feta, mozzarella, cheddar), wine, beer, Old Bay, vanilla & real maple syrup.

Ingredients I avoid - cilantro, raw onion & celery, lard, bouillon cubes, cake mix, canned soup, food dye, gelatin, margarine & shortening.

Favorite dishes - Baked Stuffed Lobster, Fried Scallops, Coquille St. Jacques, Salmon (Maple Glazed or Miso), MD Crab Cakes, Fried Calamari, Baked Stuffed Shrimp, Pasta, Pizza, Curry, Vegetable Korma, Drunken Noodles, Pad Thai, Eggplant Parmesan, Mac & Cheese, Fish & Chips, a good salad, Sprinkles Cupcakes, & Toll House Cookies.

My Weaknesses - Ginger ale, Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, Heinz ketchup, cinnamon rolls, fried food, cheese fries, & warm bread of any type!

Dishes I Receive the Most Requests to Make - Vegetarian chili, Nachos, and Vegetable Stew with Dumplings.

My Dream Meal - a simple baked stuffed lobster & a bottle of wine at a little New England restaurant - or brunch made by my kids with help from their Dad - don't forget the champagne cocktail!

Favorite Restaurant - Roy's Hawaiian Fusion (worldwide), Mealey's (in Maryland), Eddie's and Spaghetti Factory (Upstate NY), Artist Point (in WDW), Japan - TBD...

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