Why name this blog Aspiring Ina....well, first of all, I love to cook, bake, shop, and be around food. I've been seriously cooking for about 7 years and would like to think that I've gotten better, more adventurous, and daring. I have no fear when it comes to cooking or ingredients. I'll try it all and if it doesn't work, it doesn't work.
I'll admit that Food Network was the reason that I started cooking. I was in graduate school and exhausted one afternoon from endless writing. I turned on the TV and switched the channel to the Food Network. I guess that their afternoon cooking shows were on and I watched them all. At that time, "Semi Homemade Cooking" with Sandra Lee was first. I hated it right away. Not sure if it was the host, the use of awful ingredients, or the decor, but I didn't like it. Next, was "Everyday Italian" with Giada. I was also not fond of the host (she still drives me crazy), but her recipes seemed good. Next, "Barefoot Contessa" with Ina Garten came on. I was in love. I'm not sure what drew me to her- I'm a very hyper person always moving from task to task and Ina was pretty dull with a monotone voice and very very calm. I was drawn to her immediately and her recipes seemed flawless and incredible. I called my mom right away to ask if she had ever heard of Ina Garten (my mom is a huge Martha Stewart fan and a great cook) and she screamed, "of course I have!" She also informed me that she has made a lot of Ina's recipes that I told her were awful. hmmmmmm....
The next day, I bought Ina's cookbooks (I think there were about 3 or 4 out at that time) and started studying them. I marked recipes, wrote down ingredients I needed, and went shopping. For the next couple of weeks, I practiced her recipes. I would make them over and over, trying new things, substituting ingredients I couldn't find or ones I didn't like. Basically, I dove head first into the world of Ina and cooking. I fell in love fast.
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