About

Hola, I’m Lizzy*

*My name is pronounced LEE-see like Lisa but better!
I know it’s confusing, but it’s Spanish so different rules apply.

I’m the Kitchen Nomad around here. Welcome to my food blog.

When people find out I like to cook, eat and devour anything food-related, I’m usually asked the same questions so I thought I’d answer them below.

Where do you live? Chicago

Where else have you lived?  Wow, so many places! I was a military brat so I moved every few years. Here’s the list: Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Germany (twice), Illinois (thrice), Japan, New Mexico, Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Puerto Rico. Please don’t make me list every place I’ve ever visited.

What ingredients do you always have on hand?  I always keep some type of chocolate, various oils, garlic, Goya Adobo, kosher salt, popcorn and beans in my pantry. My refrigerator is stocked with at least one cheese, butter, bacon and numerous condiments but typically something spicy like sriracha. My freezer is stuffed with so many things there’s no space for ice.

Why would I invite you over for dinner?  Because I’d bring more than one dish, and one would likely be homemade passion-fruit ice cream. I bet you’re interested now, huh?

Do you have a favorite spice or herb?  Yes, salt is my favorite flavor booster. (I’m not the only who thinks so.) I use all kinds such as sea salt, Portuguese cream salt and truffle salt. For daily cooking I stick to kosher salt for the clean flavor. I’m also hooked on this Moroccan Spice Mixture from The Spice House. I use it on all my seafood; it’s addictive.

What does your kitchen look like?  Yikes, I was afraid of this question. I live in a rental apartment with a nice sized kitchen for the city, but it lacks sufficient storage, drawers (I only have one!) and appropriate cabinet space (there are several odd shapes and unreachable spaces).

Are you a professional chef?  No, I’m a “professional” home cook. My Mami taught me the fundamentals, and I cultivated my own foodie fixes by devouring cookbooks, exploring food markets, taking cooking classes and entertaining at home. I’m not a trained chef, but as I always tell my husband, I’ve been cooking for over 30 years!

Do you have a favorite food?  The two things I go back to consistently are bacon and chocolate; together they’re even better.  In kindergarten my teacher asked who my favorite parent was, and despite being a devoted daddy’s girl, I responded: “My Mami because she make me bacon!” As you can see, the obsession began in my formative years. I also have an affinity for avocados, cheese, chicken, coconut, passion-fruit , popcorn and potatoes. I could eat these things nearly every day. I know this isn’t the most exciting list, but I love them all.

What do you crave?  Salt! I love salty and savory snacks, especially popcorn. I have a penchant for Garrett Popcorn (the Chicago mix, of course) and Trader Joe’s Salt & Vinegar Potato Chips. Really anything salty is my thing.