The Joys of Being in the Kitchen

Since moving back home and having a limited number of things to do, I have found much joy in being in the kitchen. I have always loved cooking and baking--I can even remember my first experience with baking! I was following in the footsteps of my sister, something I found I did often as I have two older sisters.

The oldest was trying to bake bread with my mom and I joined them in the kitchen. All that fancy preparation with yeast and such rendered me confused as a young child but nevertheless I attempted to emulate my sister and make my own version of bread. I was given a little yeast and dough and rolled everything up to make a little piece of bread. I popped a few raisins in for fun, and voila--it was placed in the oven. I waited excitedly and anxiously for my "bread" to be ready. I had not been supervised much while baking so it was my own special project. When it was time, and my mom took the bread out of the oven, I held my fresh raisin bread roll in my hand, enthusiastic to share with everyone. I will always remember the next part of this story as a defining moment for my dad. I hurriedly ran up to my dad to let him try my raisin bread. He took a bite out and said "wow! This is amazing!" I was pleased and encouraged. Then I took a bite out myself. It tasted disgusting. There are no words to describe how bad that bread roll turned out to be. But, that was about fifteen years ago and I have learned a lot since then!

My passion for cooking and baking doesn't come from a certain experience or memory. I have always loved food. I love that it brings people together, how exciting it is to eat out in restaurants, but most of all, I love that it is like a science. Measuring ingredients and mixing or whisking a certain way really alters the outcome of the recipe. It is always exciting to be able to see the fruits of your labor on the dinner table enjoyed by all.

Throughout the years since that raisin bread accident, I have acquired an apron and some cooking finesse. Maybe it was being in college for four years or my love for culinary arts, but I have found that I have improved at cooking and baking, and have quite a few recipes to share with you on this blog!

Meatless Monday dinner--my accomplishment!

So far this summer, I've made a breakfast smoothie consisting of bananas, peanut butter, and raspberries courtesy of Cooking Light. I have made a summer salad, dabbled in Thai stir-fry, and baked a double layer German chocolate cake! My favorite conquest was the other night--I was pressed on time and had to make family dinner. I grabbed a few items from my refrigerator
and made a memorable and delicious dish that is sure to become a staple in the house.

As I continue to blog, I will be sure to highlight and explain the recipes I have tried out and created on my own complete with photos (I love to take pictures and to photo-document!) I love Cooking Light recipes, so that is where I get most of my dishes. I have a secret--I follow Cooking Light on Pinterest and pin great dinner recipes to my new Dinner Ideas board--it's a great way to hold on to a variety of recipes for a day when you don't have any ideas for what to make for dinner!

For now, I will leave you with a Cooking Light recipe I am SO excited to pursue! When I was in college, my love for chicken wings blossomed but I always felt guilty eating them. The fried crispiness and oil reminded me that even though they are tasty, wings aren't the healthiest. So I am very glad to see this recipe, and will blog again to let you know how my version of it turns out!

Until next time! :)