About

 

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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.

{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Gregg Davey December 20, 2013 at 2:44 pm

WOW! This is great! Congratulations! PS: I can’t wait to try Pumpkin French toast.

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2 Lizzy December 20, 2013 at 2:46 pm

Thanks so much, Gregg! I owe a great part of it to you. Thanks for stopping by, and let me know if you run into any issues with the pumpkin french toast. I’m happy to troubleshoot!

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3 Gretchen August 9, 2013 at 12:24 pm

Yay!! Oh how I dream of your passion fruit ice cream. I’ll have to invite you for dinner again soon:). Thank you for teaching me so much about food and for cooking me so many delicious meals. Cheers to the future of this wonderful blog!!

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4 Lizzy February 21, 2013 at 8:20 pm

Thanks, Lizzie!

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5 Erin @ The Speckled Palate May 8, 2012 at 9:19 pm

SUPER excited to start reading your blog, Lizzy!

Loving your blog design and loving the back story behind your love affair of cooking. 🙂 That’s awesome!

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6 Junito April 6, 2012 at 1:26 pm

GWOW, que ‘fancy’ tu eres! WEPA! I’m so proud to be your little big brother 🙂 Remember when we were kids and you would cut a circle in a slice of bread, crack an egg into it and toast/fry it for me? I thought that was the most amazing thing. I know firsthand of your early quest for knowledge of culinary arts, I was there to taste test! Now I will get to have a little flavor from home more often than not! I will especially require a detailed recipe for your Eggplant Parmigiana, it is my favorite! You really do have a passion for food and cooking and, like Mami, are great with experimenting and implementing your own signature on a dish. Just please don’t EVER make the Green Soup! haha. Congratulations and I wish you the best. Love you!

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7 Dali Diaz March 22, 2012 at 8:40 pm

Wow, my little chef! You have grown in different ways. It seems it was yesterday you experimented the first culinary experience on your own. I bet you cannot remember, but I will never forget the first breakfast in bed you prepared for me. It was as succulent as the ones you keep preparing. The reason why you are such a good cook is because you are a good taster. Keep on going; I only see good from this moment because you are the master of good food. Congratulations and keep on cooking and remember I want to sample everything.

Love,
Mami

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8 Susan March 21, 2012 at 3:20 pm

Congrats! I cannot wait to read all the caper recipes you have!

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9 Gloria March 21, 2012 at 2:43 pm

Yay, Lizzy!!! I look forward to seeing all of your fabulous food fun!

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10 Paula March 21, 2012 at 1:49 pm

I love it! I can’t wait to learn the true meaning of food (and how to boil water).

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11 Suki August 24, 2011 at 3:34 pm

Congrats Lizzy! I am so proud of you. I am so excited to read your blog.

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12 Winnie August 19, 2011 at 1:30 pm

Congratulations! I cannot wait to share this blog with friends and family. You are always my “go to girl” when I have a foodie question. As my husband says “man, that Lizzy knows EVERYTHING!”

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