Meet Casey (and Travis)

I have only been really "stirring the pot" as Jolene's mom calls it for about 3 years now. I was never very interested in cooking until my last year in college. Don't get me wrong I have always loved to eat and enjoyed all varieties of food. I was never scared to try something and to this day stick to my motto, always try something once. And even though my mother was a good cook, I never really cared how the food got to my plate, I cared more about consuming it. Until recently that is.

Once I discovered the joy of cooking I never really looked back. I began subscribing to food magazines, reading them front to back while meticulously post-it noting every thing I wanted to make. I dove right in head first skipping the "Easy 1-2-3 Meals" cook book and heading right to Bon Appetit. I began making things that I had never even heard of like Salt Braised Branzino, Coq Au Vin, and Sea Bass with Cucumber Relish and Jalapeño Goat Cheese Hush Puppies. I was hooked. Now I have a fully stocked kitchen with many of the spices and condiments I need to make any dish along with all the basic appliances and them some.

But I am still learning, every day is still a new adventure to me. Unlike Jolene I go off everything by recipe. I still have not mastered the art of cooking without directions. I can also not use the notches of my fingers to measure (see her Grandma's photo). I use measuring cups, spoons and my trusty set of scales to weigh out larger items.

I owe most of my cooking inspiration to my best friend Monica. She really opened my eyes to the joy of cooking and gave me my first lessons as a chef. I am proud to say that she is usually impressed when she comes over for dinner at how much I have learned over the years. When she first began teaching me to cook I didn't know how to make box pizza dough and now I can make it from scratch. I didn't know how to bread chicken, properly cut vegetables or meat, flip pancakes...this list could just go on and on. But through much trial and error, now I can.

My other inspiration comes from my boyfriend and house mate Travis. He always encourages me and tells me how good my cooking is, even if it is not. In my family growing up eating was also our family time. To this day I carry on that tradition with Travis. I enjoy coming home from work every night and cooking our little family a home cooked meal. It is my relaxation for the day and I could not be happier to have someone to share it with.

I hope that anyone reading this enjoys our recipes and that you take away as much inspiration as possible!