@Cottage Cook
Hi! I grew up in north Louisiana and have lived in central Louisiana for the past 27 years. People call me a gourmet cook, but I never think of myself that way. I'm just a person who loves to cook and will try almost anything. I've done a bit of catering and a lot of entertaining over the years, and I hope that I can continue to cook and entertain for many years to come. I'm an avid cookbook collector, but I also enjoy cruising the Internet for new ideas and recipes. Better Homes and Gardens Cook Book has been a favorite since I was a child, but I actually use my regional and 1940s cookbooks more often. The cookbook that gets the most use, however, is one my aunt Ethel and I self-published in 1983 -- a collection of favorite family recipes entitled The Greer Reunion Cookbook. It includes many of Grandmother's recipes, including the best teacakes and pound cake ever. Fortunately, my husband loves to cook and eat almost as much as I do. Our three sons are also great cooks who like a wide variety of foods. My passion is baking ... cookies, pies, cakes, cheesecakes, cobblers, tarts, cream puffs, bread puddings, quick breads ... the works. A few years ago, we hosted a Valentine dessert buffet, and it was so gratifying to hear a dear friend who happens to be a master baker telling everyone who came in to be sure and try the white chocolate cheesecake and the meringues. I also really enjoy making soups, especially cream soups. I make a dynamite creamy chicken soup, but I also love to experiment with creamy vegetable soups. Last year, I made apple and parsnip soup for the first time, and it has become one of our favorites. Curry is my favorite spice. I put it in chicken salad, shrimp salad, and several of my favorite soups. Buttermilk is probably my favorite ingredient. I don't think I've ever made anything with buttermilk that wasn't good.