Like Mother, Like Daughter!

Kay's last day of cooking camp!

School is Out, Cooking School is In!

My 10 year old daughter Kaylee is home with me this week, her favorite place to be.  School is out and she has spent the last 2 weeks at cooking camp.  The first week was offered through our local Whole Foods and this past week was at a local cooking school, Chef Start.  The last day of camp, she presented and served all of the dishes she made- delish!

Could There Be a Better Centerpiece?

Kaylee as our centerpiece!

Kaylee has been around good cooking since she has entered this world.  When she was very young I would put her little bouncy seat on the kitchen table as I cooked around her.  It was out of necessity, as she would become upset if she couldn't see what was going on.  Before she was old enough to sit in a high chair to eat, we would put her seat in the middle of the dinner table and we would eat around her.  My husband Jason and I would joke that she was our beautiful centerpiece.  I guess it should be clear why she thinks the world revolves around her :)

Can You Say "Over the Top"?

As she has grown, she has taken a more hands-on role in our family kitchen.  Her favorite thing to do on a weekend morning is surprise us with breakfast.  I'm not talking about a bowl of cereal either.  Kaylee is all about presentation.  It's in her nature to go all and out and totally over the top.  She sets the table on any given day like it is a holiday and guests are coming.  The table always includes napkin rings, place cards (yes, even if it is for just Jason and myself), lemons and oranges in our water glasses and of course some kind of dessert.  Yes, you heard me right.  Dessert at breakfast!


One of Kaylee's "desserts"!





 Who Said Practice Doesn't Make Perfect?

Now that she is older (well 10 :)), she truly helps me in the kitchen.  We go all and out together when we host our friends and family.  We start our cooking the day before, in our aprons and usually cook late into the night.  She has mastered many tasks and continues to surprise me with her creativity.

Afternoon Delight!

Today, as I was working at my desk in my home office, she was busy working in the kitchen.  She insisted that I not come out until she let's me know it's OK.  After about an hour or so, she called out that lunch will now be served.  She presented a delicious looking BLT!  Not just any BLT, but one made with perfectly toasted whole wheat bread, crisp chopped iceberg lettuce, sliced ripe San Marzano tomatoes, crisp turkey bacon (non-nitrate) made in the oven and just enough light olive oil mayonnaise.  Are you aware of how easily it is to ruin a basic BLT?  Soggy or burnt bread, too much/too little mayo, lettuce that has not been dried well, undercooked or overcooked bacon and the worst offender of all, under-ripe tomatoes.  She was so proud and I was so impressed!  We ate our sandwiches together and enjoyed the quiet of the summer afternoon.  She truly fed my body and soul!!!!




Kaylee's gourmet BLT lunch special- YUM!!!