Cooking and baking has been a passion for me for many years. As a full-time working mom of 2, I’m often asked “how do you do it?” The easy answer of course is… “you just do”, because what’s the alternative, right? But the last time I was asked the question I really stopped to think about it because I do know many working moms that sometimes struggle with putting dinner on the table night after night. It’s easy to fall into the carry-out or restaurant rut. Truth be told, I love to go out to eat but when you’re dragging along a possibly cranky toddler (just kidding, she’s a little angel at *all times*) and a sometimes surly pre-teen, it’s usually easier for me to put together something at home. And after a day schlepping around the brewery, I’d as soon be at home, aka showering and putting on makeup does NOT sound palatable, at this time.
Over the years of cooking daily (and quickly) I’ve made the best of the situation by becoming proficient at some great cooking techniques. From the common, every day crockpot, to the pressure cooker (it’s not like your grandmother’s that blew up in the kitchen, threatening life and limb of all in the immediate vicinity) to the ever-so-fancy sous vide, heretofore reserved for the very fanciest of fancy restaurants. I’m hoping to teach a tip or trick, or two, and in the process learn more about the science of food.
Professionally my background is science-ish and food-ish (beer is liquid bread right?). You will see that I often cook with beer because I have a large supply of it in the house at all times, and I will often substitute for wine. I love wine, but I’d have to pay for that. I love baking bread and making pretzels, fermentation being one of God’s gifts to man. I love canning and will put something up every few months.
Some things I’m good at: food safety (I started my career as a microbiologist), making beer, process improvement and cutting out the unnecessary steps, menu planning and making it all come out right at the same time or figuring out what can hold and what can’t. Making soap and other toiletry items. Ok that was pretty random but in fact it’s true. Menu planning and pre-prepping meals. I should be able to answer many questions you might have about food safety, homebrewing, and the Maillard reaction. Entertaining for extended family and coworkers.
Things I’m not so good at but I’m working on: writing a blog and taking pictures, using static recipes…I rarely measure things (unless it’s baking, then I totally measure) so you’ll see approximate amounts a lot of times. I promise I’ll try to put a number to it. You may see some completely random posts at any given time.
I will try to link my favorite products and gadgets when I write reviews (if I can figure out how to do it). I do have Amazon affiliate links in my blog, and I can assure you that if there is a link, it is something I personally purchased from Amazon, used, and liked (or if I hated it I’ll mention that). I do an unbelievable amount of shopping on Amazon because I don’t really have the time to GO anywhere to do that sort of thing.
My family consists of my son Mason, daughter Madeline (“Miss Maddie”), my husband Aaron, and two rambunctious Welsh Corgis, Nero and Brutus.
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