Melanie B.

about me

I am a pretty good home cook and a Food Network junkie. I wish that I could get up the nerve to send an application to the Next Food Network Star. My favorite TV chefs are Bobby Flay and Tyler Florence. I love to have dinner parties and try new things on my family & friends. My last fun party was a "Girls Only" Tamale party in November...I made lunch...my guests brought shredded meats and I taught them how to make the tamales assembly line style...we had a blast! I also find myself being the neighborhood mom periodically...cranking out many cheese crisps, quesadillas, and chicken fingers for my 5-year old and his friends on weekends.

My 5-year old recently became very interested in helping me cook, which makes it much more fun. He loves to crack and mix eggs and help me blending or processing things like....fruit purees for granitas & popsicles, pesto, salad dressing, etc. He especially loves to make popsicles and granitas to share with his friends!

Favorite Foods:

Sushi, Rubios Fish Tacos, Bacon wrapped Filet with Blue Cheese, homemade fresh salsa, Cheese Fries from the O back in Pittsburgh although I haven't had them in about 12 years, anything with Green Chilis, Halibut cooked any way, Hot & Spicy chicken wings, pizza, Pulled Pork in anything, Parmesan crisps with creamy tomato/basil soup, Garlic Bread, my aunt alice's spinach salad with strawberries, pine nuts, and raspberry viniagrette, Breakfast burritos, my moms meatloaf, tamales, chicken pot pies, Giada's berry strata, the list goes on & on, brussel sprouts with bacon, anything with butter, Paella, grilled corn, NY Strip with a little blue cheese filling, Burgers with blue cheese & butter filling, My father-in-law Ray's beer battered trout, Baked Brie with strawberries & cornbread crackers, Port Salut Cheese, ANYTHING with cheese ...I just love food...guess that's why I'm not so skinny anymore