What's Cooking With Lauren Groveman?

(January 19, 2006) For those of you who live in and around my home town of Larchmont, New York, you've probably seen me (at all hours) happily cruising around various food markets. Anyone who spends five minutes with me "gets" that I truly love to cook and bake. What you might not know, however, is that I grew up knowing not a stitch about the kitchen. My mother didn't cook (she was a top New York fashion model and, being in her line of work, she didn't eat much either ). I emerged into adulthood knowing little about cooking. I became eager to learn about cooking after falling in love with (my then boyfriend, now husband) Jon. I somehow knew, in my heart, that just because I didn't grow up in a home that made shared family meals a priority, that didn't mean that I couldn't do it for my own family, once I had the opportunity. So, I began (using every dish in the house to make scrambled eggs), playing with ingredients, as a curious child explores a new world. Because I yearned to make our lives together as "homemade delicious" as possible, as often as possible, I didn't mind practicing. I knew from past experiences in other arenas that, eventually, I could grow as a cook, in both confidence and ability. And so can you.

My reason for telling you this is because I started cooking with loads of questions that were difficult to find answers for. Luckily, I loved the journey enough, going from a novice in the kitchen to being someone that "owned" my self-taught skills. While plowing through lots of so-called culinary mishaps, I came away understanding much about the "cause and effect" behind lots of different culinary procedures. I also found my true calling, as a cooking teacher. So, whether I'm talking on my weekly radio program, or writing a cookbook, or teaching in private and public cooking venues, it's become my life's work (my job and my joy) to teach people that I don't know to cook for those they love and who, many times, depend on them.

So my hopes for this column are not just to provide you with recipes but also to give you answers to questions that keep you feeling stuck and afraid to embark into new culinary territory. I want to help you to feel safe and more knowledgeable when you set out to concoct something edible to give pleasure to those you care about. So, in addition to giving you a recipe each week, I also want your questions! I want ALL your questions, from those about shopping, to organizing your preparation schedules, to understanding about seasonal ingredients, to feeding finicky (and seemingly unappreciative) eaters, to how to find the physical and emotional motivation to make your home life as nurturing and fortifying as possible (especially when you're exhausted and wish someone was around to take care of you, instead!)

So, from now on, these are the rules: There are no rules. You can use me to help you to figure things out when it comes to shopping, cooking, entertaining and mealtime strategy. All questions should be emailed to me at ask@laurengroveman.com (or in the box below) and I will answer all questions, either in my column or personally and privately by return email. Please be a bit patient, though, as these days, I've got quite a full plate. Welcome to my kitchen! L.G.

Questions for Lauren Groveman's Kitchen:

Lauren Groveman recipes have been featured in many national magazines and local newspapers. Her books "The I love to Cook Book: Rediscovering the Joy of Cooking for Family and Friends" and "Lauren Groveman's Kitchen, Nurturing Food for Family and Friends" are available through Amazon.com. Lauren hosts an hour-long, "live" weekly radio show, Food Family & Home "Matters," on 1460 WVOX.

For in depth information on Lauren Groveman as a writer, teacher, TV & radio host, as well as her recipes and cooking tips visit her website at www.laurengroveman.com

Lauren is a Larchmont resident. She is happily married and blessed with three wonderful children.