What are your memories of some of the very first dishes you ever cooked? And how old were you and what were you trying to cook and where?

I was 18 yrs old a newlywed and trying to cook. I bought a recipe book and began humbly in my own little apt kitchen. I remember making biscuits my first time I had flour from one end of the counter to the other, and it was all over me too, I remember later that night finding a small piece of dough in the pocket on my dress:D

My very 1st cake was a from scratch apple sauce cake! And thank God my Mom gave me her Better Homes & Gardens cookbook it was my life-line to eating food that was good.

And eventually I became a great cook, and love it too!

I have just in the last few years gotten back to enjoy cooking. Got soured at it at a early age because I had to take over the cooking at 10 yrs old. Long story.....Dad died...7 months later 8 yr old sister was killed...Mom had a complete breakdown. That left myself and two older brothers at home to take care of ourselves.I burned a lot of food.......but had to do what we had to do to survive.We had 2 older brothers and an older sister that were grown and married. They helped with food and bills and Granny lived next door to us but she was a coldhearted person....we were left on our own mostly.

Francie that is so tragic! Honestly life has sure dealt some really hard blows to you, I am so sorry. And I can certianly understand how it made you sour on cooking:(

I am glad you are now enjoying cooking, I pray you will not only enjoy it but be lifted up to unspeakable joys from Our Lord above in all the rest of your days in the kitchen, indeed in all your endeavors!

I can honsetly say I love being in my kitchen, especially when I have fresh veggies from the garden to cook and have in a meal! How is your garden doing these days?

I just love the skills I posess in my cooking and I feel so accomplished, always willing to learn even more, but knowing I am very good at what I do is such a terrific feeling. I know that sounds rather strange, but it has always been a love of mine to serve others and I suppose knowing my way around a kitchen and laying on a great spread is another outlet for my desire to give. Even if I am the only one eating (which is seldom the case:)) I love knowing I have done an outstanding job:)

I started to bake when I was young. I made apple crisp for my Dad because he was a diabetic, :mad: it didn't have loads of sugar in it. I used to make home - made pizza with my mom and sister. I would grate the cheese, and dice veggies because I was the youngest. My sister would make the sausage & my mom would roll the dough and make the sauce. We would put it all together & you have a Good Pizza!! I remember always making tuna with lots of relish in it & celery.

In my early twenties I was really into making stir fries, salads, taco's, veggie dips, popcorn,( lots of appetizers) cold pasta salad. I was a big desert maker fudge, chocolate chip cookies.... Cookie

Those sound like very good memories Cookie! To this day I still eat my tuna that way, lots of relish and celery, if I run out of celery that is OK, but never relish Unthinkable;)

Mom had five of us so she never let us in the kitchen, it made her nervous, and if you knew us you'd be nervous too:D