First of all, I just want to say thanks for stopping by my blog! I am the youngest in a big family of 6 kids and I grew up in the kitchen watching the women (and men) I admire most cook up some really delicious southern food. I was blessed to grow up surrounded by great cooks and some of my favorite memories of my childhood involve cooking alongside my mom and grandma, learning how to make something simple taste amazing.
Now I am a wife and mother, trying to travel and experience as much as possible! I live in Raleigh, North Carolina and I love exploring this beautiful and diverse city. My recipes are inspired by the constantly expanding food scene here as well as anything I can get my hands on abroad! I live to travel and try local food, whether it’s just a road trip to Asheville or a flight to Paris. One of my favorite parts of traveling is experiencing dishes and ingredients I’ve never tried, then coming home and figuring out how to re-create it.
When I am home, I love to entertain. There’s something really special about being able to serve a home cooked meal to the people you love. Watching my family pass plates around the table while roasting each other and laughing so hard it hurts is an unforgettable moment that you just can’t get in a restaurant. These are the memories that you cherish for a lifetime.
I’ve done everything from small, intimate dinner parties to catering for 75+ people. I can tell you the secret is in the preparation and learning how to roll with the punches. Another thing to remember is – practice makes perfect! You can’t be a good cook if you only attempt to do so once every three months.
I’m a complete perfectionist, so anytime I encounter something while cooking that I’m not “good” at, I will try over and over until I master it. My greatest challenges to date are scratch pie crusts and cheesecakes – why is it so hard to crimp a pie crust edge that doesn’t look like a hot mess? In fact, baking did not come naturally to me. Cooking savory food was a breeze, but ask me to measure out 20 ingredients and “gently fold” is an art I had to learn with many failed attempts along the way. But with enough determination, you can conquer anything you set your mind to.
When I’m not not cooking, I love to explore the Triangle both indoors and out. My other hobbies include reading, DIY home projects, and hiking.
I hope that by reading my recipes, you’ll be inspired to get in the kitchen and make something amazing. And if you fail… learn to laugh at yourself, toss your massively cracked cheesecake in the trash, and order take-out. Explore your city and have fun doing it.
