"So, what are you going to write about this winter?" A reader asked me the other day. It is true that the winter months can be a little more difficult for someone who relies very heavily on what's in season and available at the farmer's market. Add into that the fact that I didn't do nearly as much preserving this summer as last, and it's time to think about what's in store for the long, dark Ohio winter. *sigh*
Not to worry, though - I have a few ideas up my sleeve, and this is where I would love to have your input.
Pretty much ever since I started Restaurant Widow, I have thought about doing some "cooking 101" posts. Things focused on how to stock your pantry, how to start cooking intuitively - for those attached to their recipes - how to do basic things, how to use different ingredients, what kind of kitchen tools and cookware you might think of using in your own kitchen.
In a previous survey, I asked what you were most afraid of cooking - I couldn't believe how many people said lamb! I thought fish would have been first - which really got me thinking about asking you what you would most like to learn how to cook. I can then do a series helping you work through your cooking-related fears.
So, let me know what sort of things you would like to learn about.
Secondly! Looking ahead to next summer, I am thinking of offering a bi-weekly market tour/cooking class/lunch series. This is something I have wanted to do for a long time, but since I am always working on Saturday nights, there's just no way it has been practical. However, it suddenly occurred to me how much happier I would be if I didn't work on Saturdays, and instead fulfilled my dream of leading these market tours. There are a few logistical concerns here, of course, such as how to tell my job I no longer want to work on the busiest night of the week, being able to afford to refuse to work the busiest night of the week, how many people would be feasible, where to cook lunch, etc. etc. So, if you have any thoughts on that category, please let me know as well.
Did you notice my first advertisement? It's for the Cookware Sorcerer, which is a great independently-owned kitchen store in the Short North. It is one of the more practical stores in that neighborhood. If you haven't been there, you might not know Sam the dog, whose picture is in the ad. I think the ad looks great and fits in well with my site. I would love to hear your suggestions. I am thinking of taking my first ad revenue right back to the Cookware Sorcerer to purchase a really great knife! But, in keeping with my promises to you, I believe I will take it to a restaurant for review instead. Knife next.
