Me
Hi, my name is Gretchen and I am the “flower city foodie.” I am a stay-at-home mom who has always had a passion for food. In my pre-kids days I was a middle school science teacher. I live in a suburb of Rochester, NY (which is known as The Flower City). I enjoy experimenting with food and trying new things that I see in cookbooks, on TV, or on other blogs. My idea of culinary perfection is a recipe that is exciting to make, interesting to eat, and will be enjoyed by my whole family.
This Blog
I started this blog as a way to share my recipes and food-related experiences with friends, family, and other foodies. I write about the food I cook for my family and the inspiration behind the recipes I create and use.
My Cooking Style: International, Seasonal, & Affordable
I love the flavors and techniques from a wide variety of cultures–Indian, Mexican, Japanese, & French are a few of my (many) favorites. I try to use ingredients and techniques that are available to most Americans. My recipes might not be the most “traditional” for a particular cuisine, but I promise that they were created with respectful intentions.
I am passionate about using ingredients when they are at their best. I cook seasonally so that my recipes take advantage of fruits and vegetables at their peak of flavor. Freezing and canning produce helps me make it through the long Rochester winters.
I believe that it’s possible to cook delicious food on a reasonable budget. Some recipes I post might involve ingredients that are a “splurge,” but I balance those out with other recipes that are inexpensive to create (see my cheap eats page for more information).
The Recipes
Some of the recipes you will find on this blog are my original creations, others are adaptations from other sources. (I provide links to the original recipes when possible.) Most of the recipes that you will find here are savory in nature, because that is what inspires me most. Some of my favorite ingredients are: seafood, root vegetables, goat cheese, bacon, sweet corn, and summer-ripe tomatoes. I will post about something sweet if the mood strikes me, but if you’re looking for endless posts about cupcakes–you are at the wrong blog.
The Photos
The photography on this site is a collaboration between my husband and myself. We are always learning new things when it comes to taking pictures of food.
Contact Information
If you have any questions or just want to say hello, please leave a comment on my latest post or email me at pugs.are.cute@frontiernet.net.
