“Ah-ha”

Both my mom and grandmother were great cooks – they loved to entertain friends and family.  I remember that it always seemed so effortless.  Everything was delicious, beautiful and served on time.  Part of their enjoyment stemmed from the cookbooks and recipes they shared.  However, recipes always felt restrictive to me, like having to color within the lines.  If I looked at a cookbook and liked the picture, then I checked out the ingredients and created something on my own.  

Working on TENDER, there was an “Ah-ha!” moment with the discovery that my way of cooking was just as limiting.    I had restricted myself more by not listening to the recipes -  And for the first time, if you can believe it, I prepared something as classic as a whole chicken, having never cooked meat or poultry before – just by following a clear, simple recipe.  It was fun and I had a sense of such accomplishment.   Now I have fun in the kitchen.   Mom and I still cook together and finally for me too – it’s effortless.

Jody and Patricia - recipe testers