Monday, June 22, 2009

An Interview with Aunt Debbi

Our wonderful and humorous blogging friend Debbi from Aunt Debbi's Garden needed to do some interviews..and I was one of her volunteers.

This is an interview for cooks..well, I have always enjoyed cooking so this is an easy one for me!

Here you go Debbi:


At what age did you begin cooking?

I don't know the exact age, but I was in elementary school.

Who taught you?

My Mother, but I have learned lots of things from friends and other family members.

What type of food is your favorite?

I love fresh veggies and desserts--yum!!


Where do you get your best ingredients?

I like to buy fresh veggies from a family owned produce stand close to my house. I love to buy local honey and jellies when I can find them. I try spices from just about anywhere. Everything else comes from the grocery store.


Do you know any cooking tricks?

No, not really. I am a very traditional cook. I like to cook, but I LOVE to bake. My favorite thing is cookies. When the kids were little, we always had homemade cookies in the cookie jar. If I had a trick to share it would be this: don't over bake cookies--under bake them. Take them out of the oven a couple of minutes before you think they are done and let them sit on the cookie sheet 2 minutes before putting them on your cooking rack.

Will you share a recipe?

Sure...I'll share two!

I love fresh carrots, and this is how I like to cook them:

Glazed Carrots
Cut carrots into lengthwise strips (or cut in half if using baby carrots)
Cook in a small amount of water until almost tender.
Remove carrots from the pan and set aside.
In the same pan, combine:
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. grated orange peel (optional)
2 T. margarine
Cook this under bubbly, then add the carrots back and cook about 5 more minutes.
Really good--it gets kids to eat their carrots!
Since I mentioned cookies, here is one of my favorite recipes (and hubby's very favorite!)

Oatmeal Cookies
Combine in a large bowl:
1 cup Crisco
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
Add these dry ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 t. salt
1 t. baking soda
2 cups old fashioned oatmeal
(I add raisins--you can also add walnuts)
Mix well, drop by level tablespoons on a cookie sheet ( I use a baking stone) and bake at 375 for about 8-10 minutes. NOTE: Here is an example of what I said before--the cookies need to look a little under baked when you take them out. Let them set on the cookie sheet about 1-2 minutes before removing them to the cooling rack.
So there you have it Debbi--hope this will help you out. All this thinking is really making me hungry..so think I will head into the kitchen.

Happy Gardening--uh..I mean Cooking everyone!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a fun interview and thanks for sharing two recipes! ;)

JenningsJunk said...

fun fun -- I saw this on Aunt Debbi's site, but you know what a non-cook I am ;-) So glad you were "interviewed" !! Any chance of seeing those cookies next week *wink*wink*

Susie said...

Nice to always learn something about fellow bloggers. I too love to bake. The unfortunate part of that is I like to eat whatever I bake immediately out of the oven. Nothing better than brownines or chocolate chip cookies right out of the oven with a cold glass of milk. Yum!!!

CiNdEe's GaRdEn said...

Yummy cookies(-: I do the same thing and take the cookies out before they are done. Everyone loves them soft!(-:
I love baking more then cooking meals(-: Although I do both!

Meadowview Thymes said...

It was fun Racquel--not sure if I have ever been "interviewed" before! :)

Hi JJ--Hum....cookies next week huh? I'll have to think about that..:)

Yum Susie! You are so right! Cold milk and hot cookies!

Cindee--you and I sure are a lot alike! I am the same way, I like to bake much more than "cook" although I don't bake nearly as much as I use to since there is just hubby and me.

tina said...

Happy cooking to you too Linda. I think cooking and gardening and pets and crafts all go together so it works perfectly.

Nola said...

I just finished my interview, too!
Your oatmeal cookie recipe sounds yummy, I'll have to save it and try it on baking day (whenever that is).
Can't wait to read everyone's interviews, wasn't this fun?

Meadowview Thymes said...

Tina--I think you are right. It seems like most gardeners like to cook, enjoy crafts, and have pets. (none for me, but I do have a granddog!) Add reading to that list--and you have all my interest!

Yes Nola--that was fun! You really did a fantastic job on your blog..full of pictures and great information. I also look forward to seeing more interviews.

misterreereeder said...

Oatmeal cookies!!! Great recipe. It is a little different from what I've used before but will have to give it a try!!!

Meadowview Thymes said...

Do you like oatmeal cookies mr?? I'll have to remember that! It's an easy recipe..just don't bake them too long. :)