ScottsGrace's My Page

About Me: Experimenting in the kitchen is so much fun for me...My dream job would be a "Licensed Recipe Experimenter" if such a job ever existed. My greatest thrill now is to travel with my husband, test recipes, learn about the food and cooking styles of the region we are in and then write about it! I love learning new things like crafts or a new trade or a new way of cooking. I also love to teach so I can share what I've learned. I've also used cooking and teaching as a source of "therapy" for clients that I used to work with in the mental health field. Teaching someone to prepare a simple dish gives them a sense of accomplishment and self worth. It gives them something to look forward to and keeps their minds off the harsh stress that they might be struggling with at the moment. Learning to cook in foreign countries has been especially fun for me! I've learned all about strange ingredients and different ways to prepare different foods. We've traveled to Germany, France, England, Holland, Italy, Croatia, Spain, Monaco, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, Bahamas, Indonesia, Thailand and Mexico. My husband has to work, but for me, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE FOOD! Whenever we travel, locally or abroad, I always get a cookbook as a souvenir and try to make a couple recipes from each book when I return home. Cooking is a true joy for me! It's an outlet and a place of comfort that I can either keep to myself or share with others.

My Greatest Cooking Triumph: I made an entire Asian dinner completely from scratch using some of the spices and ingredients I brought back from a trip to Malaysia. I made a pork stir-fry with fried rice, chicken/shrimp egg rolls and wonton soup. Everything was hand-made (even the stuffed wontons) and it was delicious. I haven't done it since - it was a big task!

My Biggest Kitchen Disaster: I was making a big dinner for some foster kids. Roasted Chicken, Potato Casserole, Carrots and homemade rolls. I picked up the huge platter of chicken to take to the dining room and it slipped out of my hands and shattered all over the kitchen floor. What a mess! My dog was happy but I was in tears. After cleaning it up, the children and I enjoyed a dinner of Potato Casserole, Carrots and Homemade Rolls!

My Food For Thought: I really like to support local farmers by buying products that they harvest and make themselves. Jams, honeys, sauces etc. all have a better quality to them and a taste that sets them apart from commercial brands. To me, it is crucial that we support our locals and give them all the business that we can. They are the bread basket of our country and need our help to keep their families healthy and happy. It's all about helping one another...being the good neighbor and a good friend. I also enjoy getting spices and such from the Amish Community. I get better quality and quantity for my dollar.

My Interests:

• Asian
• Baking
• Frying/Deep Frying
• German
• Grilling & BBQ
• Italian
• Mexican/Southwest
• My dog - Maggie and cat - Booger
• planning our new home. Living short-term in a foreign country!
• Slow Cooker
• Stir-Frying
• traveling