Serious Eats: Natalie's Profile

chocolate 'sushi' plate in a high-scale restaurant in Tokyo. I never thought chocolate can be made into so many different shapes and the flavor was smooth and rich.

Natalie at 4:55PM on 02/09/09

From Serious Eats

congee with various leftover meats - frozen turkey from Christmas, ground beef, roasted chicken - and winter veggies (like kale, celery, napa cabbage, etc.) Great (and filling) any time of the day (I like it for breakfast).

Natalie at 9:35PM on 02/02/09

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: 'Baking Unplugged'

I was trying to make scones using home-made baking powder. This was my first time trying to substitute commercial baking powder with home-made. The formula for the home-made baking powder used both baking soda and cream of tartar but I got the ratios mixed up. The scones turned out tasting like soap and no amount of butter and jam could hide the taste. I now have the right ratio posted on my fridge so I'll never make that mistake again!

Natalie at 2:08PM on 01/26/09

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: 'The New Mediterranean Diet Cookbook'

ful medames! The most filling breakfast you'll ever have...

Natalie at 9:22PM on 01/12/09

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: 'Into the Vietnamese Kitchen'

eliminate unnecessary carbs (bread, pasta, cereal) from my daily diet and focus on more veggies and fruit.

Natalie at 5:43PM on 01/05/09

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: Martha Stewart's Hors d'Oeuvres Handbook

cooking up a middle-eastern dinner for my in-laws who never had any such food before. This was the first time they tried lamb and exotic spices such as cardamom and cloves.

Natalie at 4:48PM on 12/22/08

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: 'The Bon Appétit Fast Easy Fresh Cookbook'

homemade mac n' cheese and pan-seared pork chop.

Natalie at 4:16PM on 12/15/08

From Serious Eats

Seriously Delicious Holiday Giveaway: Edible Chocolate Box from Charles Chocolates

cocoa brownies

Natalie at 10:08PM on 12/12/08

From Serious Eats

Seriously Delicious Holiday Giveaway: Two Peter Luger Steaks

hands down, filet mignon!

Natalie at 11:15PM on 12/10/08

From Serious Eats

Holiday Giveaway: Zingerman's Praise the Lard Gift Box

My fondest memory is slow braising a shoulder of pork in the oven for 10+ hours. The flavor was so intense that it was melting in my mouth.

Natalie at 4:57PM on 12/09/08

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: 'How to Cook Everything, Revised Tenth Anniversary Edition'

Bittman rocks! The no-knead bread is brilliant! Bread-making made simple...

Natalie at 4:31PM on 12/08/08

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: 'Simple Italian Snacks'

Depending on the season; in the summer I like to serve roasted red bell pepper dip or mini tomato & basil tarts.

During the winter, I usually go for something more hearty, like small servings of spiced butternut squash soup (in espresso cups) or mini quiches with caramelized onions and balsamic vinegar.

Natalie at 3:41PM on 12/01/08

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: 'Baked, New Frontiers in Baking'

I loved my grandmother's chocolate balls with coconut coating. I did outgrow them eventually, but only in my adult years, after I made my own version with dried fruits and spiked with rum.

Natalie at 3:40PM on 11/24/08

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: 'Martha Stewart's Cooking School'

her snickerdoodles are absolutely delish!

Natalie at 3:57PM on 11/17/08

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: 'Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics'

Halvah cookies - buttery, soft with a hint of sesame and vanilla.

Natalie at 11:42PM on 11/10/08

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: 'Second Helpings of Roast Chicken'

Sea salt always makes it into most of my recipes, and my pantry is well stocked with that. I've had sesame oil go rancid when I didn't use it for a few months - I've learnt my lesson and I now buy it in small quantities.

Natalie at 7:06PM on 11/03/08

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: 'The Sweeter Side of Amy's Bread'

Any kind of oatmeal type cookie - chocolate chip, raisins, cranberries, almonds - you name it - nothing beats oatmeal as an easy medium to work with

Natalie at 7:44PM on 10/27/08

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: 'The Cook's Country Cookbook'

I can't live without my chili...and brownies too!

Natalie at 1:53PM on 10/26/08

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: 'Fat'

I love using coconut oil in curry recipes. And let's not forget good organic butter and EV olive oil..yum!

Natalie at 9:47AM on 10/17/08

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: Cowgirl Cuisine

My mom's mac 'n cheese rocks!

Natalie at 10:52PM on 05/05/08

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: The Cornbread Gospels

The first time I tried cornbread was in a restaurant in Dallas (many many years ago). I never had it before and it was absolutely addictive! I've been trying so many recipes at home but I could never settle on the right one. I really hope to win this book and try the recipes - maybe I'll finally find the right match.

Natalie at 9:59PM on 04/07/08

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: The Sweet Melissa Baking Book

Any kind of cheesecake will do. I just love the smell of baked cream cheese and sugar.

Natalie at 10:56PM on 03/31/08

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: Pumpkin Baking

Thanks to all who participated, and congratulations to our winners:

hungrylikethewolf
ekenyon
etirv
amylou61
amy_i

Winners have been notified by email and also appear on our Contest Winners page.

Caroline Russock at 12:07PM on 10/19/09

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: Pumpkin Baking

I love ravioli with a pumpkin cream sauce. Great fall comfort food!

lesakt at 12:02PM on 10/19/09

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: Pumpkin Baking

Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake. A few years ago, we had a two pumpkin desserts at our Thanksgiving dinner -- a pumpkin pie a la Mom, and a pumpkin gooey butter cake made by my daughter. The Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake one hands down. It is decadent, but it is Holiday-worthy!

edenxpress at 12:00PM on 10/19/09

From Serious Eats