LBrouse's My Page

Screen Name: LBrouse

Home Town: Three Rivers MI

Member Since: April 2, 2008

Last login: July 13, 2008

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About Me: I've been cooking forever! I have such fond memories of being with my mom in the kitchen as she used to let me make miniature versions of what she was making. Sadly she passed at a young age but those kitchen memories have fostered my love of cooking, in particularly baking. My husband is my willing guinea pig as I love to try new dishes, so much so that we tend to forget all the great past dishes we've said we'll have to make again!

My Greatest Cooking Triumph: Each year my mother used to give baked gifts and homemade candy to all our friends. I've continued that tradition in her honor and each year during the holidays I fill upwards of 35 tins with homemade cookies. That translates to an average of 2 dozen cookies per tin, 70 dozen cookies! Recipes change each year (with the exception 2 kinds). My husband can confirm that cookie time in our house truly is a time of extreme coordination and activity. But my friends so love the thought filled gift and our tradition of spending a weekend visiting and delivering cookies. It's truly a wonderful way to connect during a busy season! Every year as I'm exhausted from the bake-a-thon I consider hanging up my apron, but the hugs, smiles and warm thanks I get from our friends make those thoughts fly right away.

My Biggest Kitchen Disaster: About 15 years ago decided to make some fried chicken. Phone rang and it was my best friend who lives out of state. Mid-prep of the meal, I walked outside, engrossed in the conversation to have a cigarette. I've long since quit (smoke free for 6 years now!), but I never did smoke in the house. After a bit, we finished the conversation and I went back in, immediately smelling smoke! I'd left the frying pan on the stove (burner on) with grease in it. I'm embarrassed to admit, I simply panicked and lost all good sense. Mistake #1 was taking the lid off the pan. Oxygen + boiling grease = flames! I then stupidly tried to douse the flames with baking soda.... Oxygen + boiling grease + baking soda = MORE flames. By now, the entire house is smoke filled with smoke alarms blaring and adding to my panic. In a moment of clarity I slammed the lid back onto of the flaming mess, grabbed a pot holder and carried it out side. Good news is that what could have been completely disastrous ended rather calmly. I opened all the doors and windows to get the smoke out. And the worst damage that had to be cared for was the scrubbing of the smoke stains off the kitchen walls by the stove. And the pan? After it cooled and grease disposed of, it actually cleaned up just fine. Needless to say, I then ordered pizza.

My Interests:

LBrouse's Highly Rated Recipes

Chili-Cumin Bean Salad
"A gal at work shared this interesting bean salad with me a few years ago," notes Michelle Smith of Running Springs, California. "It has lots texture and gets a little kick from the chili powder and cumin without being too hot. It's a nice favorite at our family gatherings. For a hearty change of pace, serve it in a tortilla with slices of grilled chicken breast."
Fish with Cucumber-Orange Relish
“Here’s a great low-fat entree that’s quick and easy,” promises Amy Bauer of Griffith, Indiana. The relish stars tart cucumbers and mandarin oranges over tasty orange roughy. “It’s turned my family of fish haters into fish lovers overnight,” Amy enthuses.
Spaghetti Casserole
From LaGrange, Georgia, Kim Rocker writes, “This is an easy dish to prepare ahead of time, refrigerate and bake just before company arrives.” Canned soup makes this casserole creamy but it still cuts well for serving.