I was tagged for this meme by the sassy, witty Lyn of Lex Culinaria simply ages ago, and have finally gotten off my okole and gotten my answers together.
What is your first memory of baking/cooking on your own?
While I always helped my mum in the kitchen, my first memory of baking on my own (other than the Easy-Bake adventures that so many of us had) was when I made a dessert of hers- chocolate layer cake with fudge frosting- for a lunch she was having with my aunt. I think I was 12, because I remember trying to work up the courage to ask her to sign a permission slip for a 'birds and the bees' film that they wanted to show us at school. What do you want from me? We were Catholic.
Who had the most influence on your cooking?
My mother. I am the last of ten children, and my mother always put on an incredible spread, seven days a week. She is an amazing baker, and makes Anadama bread and Parker House rolls to die for.
Do you have an old photo as "evidence" of an early exposure to the culinary world and would you like to share it?
Unfortunately, I do not. I have one of me dancing on the dining room table when I was a baby...does that count?
Mageiricophobia- do you suffer from any cooking phobia, a dish that makes your palms sweat?
I've always wanted to give Beef Wellington a try sometime, but all the steps involved (plus getting everything else done) make me want to throw up.
What would be your most valued or used kitchen gadgets?
Kitchenaid. Silicone pastry brush. Microplane graters.
Biggest let down?
I'm not the most 'gadgety' cook on the block, so I don't really have any major disappointments to report, I'm afraid.
Name some funny or weird food combinations/dishes you really like- and probably no one else!
I love, and have loved forever, bread toasted on top of the gas flame, then smothered with butter. My husband calls this "cancer toast".
What are the three eatables or dishes you simply don't want to live without?
Bread, butter, eggs.
Your favourite ice-cream:
Coffee.
You will probably never eat:
Pickled pig's feet.
Your own signature dish:
Hee, hee- deviled eggs! Do they count?
A common ingredient you just can't bring yourself to stomach:
1. I'm with Lyn- I absolutely cannot stand the flavour of anise.
2. Equally, I'm also with Sam- raisins. I might be able to tolerate dry raisins if I was on a desert island and they were the only thing left to eat. Soft, it's like I have a bug body in my mouth. Too disgusting for words, really.
My addition to the list:
What is your biggest kitchen pet peeve?
I get just a little flipped out if I find a hair in anything, and it doesn't matter if it's mine. That might be considered a phobia, though!
Three cooks you'd like to pass this onto?
Again, I don't imagine that there is anyone left to tag for this one either. I will look into and update later.
Are there any food bloggers who do like raisins?
Posted by: Sam | June 25, 2005 at 04:06 PM
ick i'm with you guys on the raisins- disgusting! but moira, your cancer toast concoction sounds divine to me :-)
Posted by: tanvi | June 25, 2005 at 05:15 PM
You could always try Filet de boeuf en croûte. You're still ahead on me on this, poor patient Lyn.
I love raisins, either in raisin toast or if I'm bored I suck them up my nose and pretend I'm an anteater.
Posted by: anthony | June 26, 2005 at 11:13 AM
Hi Sam and Tanvi...they actually give me the shivers, to be honest. Let's hope that they're never a theme for IMBB, right?
Tanvi: My husband actually corrected me tonight- he calls it "carbon toast". I still love it, though.
Hi Anthony...1. Got a good recipe? 2. You are a sick, yet amazingly funny, man.
Posted by: Moira | June 26, 2005 at 05:09 PM
Hi Moi,
10 kids! Didn't know you came from such a large family.
BTW...Microplane graters! ARGH! They are truly the death of me. I guess the humidity here causes them to rust at an alarming rate. Mine rusted within 2 weeks of purchase and it was sitting in the kitchen drawer awaiting its first use. *sigh*
Posted by: Reid | June 28, 2005 at 01:37 AM
Hi Reid...we weren't even the biggest family in our town! The Gradys had 16 kids- so no wonder the mom looked so beat all the time. =)
Wow, I never thought that they would rust! I wonder if it would do better if you kept
it oiled? That's tragic.
Posted by: Moira | June 28, 2005 at 01:38 PM
Ha! I got tagged for this one too and I'm still working o it. It's just so damned hot that I'm having a hard time concentrating on much of anything, except for something cold from the fridge!
Posted by: rowena | June 29, 2005 at 04:13 AM
1. Dunno but something magical happens that double slotted thingy with the cord.
2. Ants... in my brain.
Posted by: anthony | June 29, 2005 at 10:57 AM
Shaka! Interesting little pieces about you..wow big family you have! BTW..did you receive my e-mail yet? regardings swap stuff? I got stuff for you but I lost your address and I accidently deleted your e-mail..my mistake. Feminine gift from England would be nice and ohh I so love your photos..I would love to hang them up on my kitchen wall! well...awaiting for your answer and do you like Lion coffee, made from Kona? I got them..which flavor? T'care and like local people say, YOU DA BOMB!
Posted by: Yvette | June 30, 2005 at 05:56 AM
Pickled pigs feet aren't that bad.
They taste like ham.
Posted by: Susan | July 09, 2005 at 09:16 PM
Hi Rowena...it's just gotten warm again here, so I can sympathize!
Hi Anthony...you are certifiable.
Hi Yvette...I'll send you the info. again and then we can get our swaps sent out!
Hi Susan...hmmmm...it's the "feet" part that bothers me I guess! =)
Posted by: Moira | July 11, 2005 at 07:28 AM
Michele sent me; my favorite ice cream is coffee too!
Posted by: kenju | July 11, 2005 at 04:57 PM
Okay! Just take your time, no rush and I was wondering about you! See new post: Thai Calamari Strips =-)
Posted by: Yvette | July 12, 2005 at 06:07 AM
Hi Moira,
Swaps...sent out? Hmmm. =P
Posted by: Reid | July 14, 2005 at 12:20 AM
Hola Moira! your blog is looking great! I also took long time to answer this meme---finally, yesterday I finished it :) Love,
Posted by: Melissa | July 25, 2005 at 10:05 AM
I find the only way I actually like raisins is to let them soak in Grappa for a month and then pour the whole lot over vanilla ice cream. I might just need the 12 step recovery programme...
Posted by: Monkey Gland | July 25, 2005 at 06:16 PM
Wahhhh where are you? had to take peep and see if there is anything news... I undy and no rush, aloha!
Posted by: Yvette | July 26, 2005 at 06:41 AM
I too am concerned. Hope all is okay, Moira!
Melissa, that sounds pretty good but don't the raisins get all fat that way? I like raisins to be chewy.
I got tagged for that meme too and haven't had a moment to even look at the questions seriously.
Pickled pigs' feet, eh? I don't know that I've ever even seen pickled pigs' feet. And even if I do, after my experience with calves' toenails, pickled pigs' feet certainly aren't first on my list for new things to try.
-Elizabeth
Posted by: ejm | July 26, 2005 at 06:31 PM