I was an occasional sous chef in my mom and grandma's kitchens, but it wasn't until I moved into my first apartment in college that I decided I needed to learn to cook. So I asked for the Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook for Christmas and got way more than I expected... but it was exactly what I needed.
It had all the answers to my novice questions, like "How long do you boil corn on the cobb?"; or "What's the difference between a chop and a cutlet?" To this day I think I've only actually made a handful of recipes in this cookbook, but it is my go-to resource for all basic cooking info.
Since college, I've desired more than just home-made meals that turn out well, but sought ways to make those meals more nutritious and sustainable. I'm currently on a journey to cook the way my mother, grandmothers and great-grandmothers did... before there were grocery stores that offer preservative-filled and processed alternatives to the foods that used to be made in the home; when menus were planned based on the foods regionally and seasonally available; when families grew the herbs, fruits and vegetables they could, and bought the rest from local farmers.The thing about a journey is that some days you make more progress than others. On the days when I progress toward this goal, you can read about it here!
