Have you ever bitten into a homemade pickle and wondered about the journey from garden to jar? This is where we unlock the secrets of flavors, diving deep into the rich tapestry of tastes that have shaped my life from the Midwest to the vibrant streets of Puerto Vallarta. It’s a place to discover, learn, and experiment with new flavors and techniques. What flavors or dishes bring back fond memories for you, and how have they shaped your culinary journey?
When I was 10 years old, my eyes were opened when we got cable TV. I would devour old episodes of Julia Child and The Galloping Gourmet and MTV (I was a kid…).
As a child, I remember the comforting aroma of my mother’s kitchen wafting through the house on special occasions. Her family recipe for hot rolls was a cherished tradition, and from a young age, I was always eager to help, learning to measure ingredients and whisk with care. These moments sparked my lifelong passion for cooking and preserving the flavors that have been passed down through generations.
Jump ahead to 1989, I married a military man. Though miles from home, armed with my trusty Betty Crocker cookbook I received as a wedding gift, I embraced the move to Georgia as an opportunity to expand my culinary horizons. Immersing myself in the diverse cooking styles of fellow military wives, my culinary repertoire began to flourish. Then, in 1993, a new world of inspiration opened with the launch of the Food Network. It was here that I found mentors in the likes of Mario, Bobby, and Giada, each sharing insights that transformed my home cooking into a true craft.
I started reading every cookbook I could find. During my studies, I became interested in growing my own ingredients and preserving them through dehydration and canning food. Dehydrating is fun, but my passion is canning. I will dive into the science and process of canning as well as explore canning recipes from around the world. What are some of your cherished canning memories or favorite ingredients to preserve?”
I’ve had many adventures along the way that I want to share with you. My latest is moving to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, for a year with my husband, Greg. I plan to take you along on a culinary journey through Mexico. We will explore the ingredients and flavors that make Mexican cuisine one of the favorites in the world. What Mexican dishes intrigue you the most, and what would you love to learn about them?
Along the way, I will also share favorite recipes from the past, as well as tips and techniques that will help you be a success in the kitchen. I will also include my failures along the way. We can all have a good laugh, and maybe I can help you not make the same mistakes. What cooking challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them? Let’s share our lessons and grow together!
Please leave a comment telling me what you are looking forward to learning about. I will add your request to the top of my list. Don’t miss out on any of our flavorful adventures—subscribe to ‘The Culinary Preserve’ for updates on new posts, tantalizing recipes, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into my culinary explorations.
Happy Cooking!
-Lisa-
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12 responses to “Welcome to my world of culinary exploration and preservation!”
Hi Lisa! Excellent blog and many congrats! You so passionately articulated your love for cooking. As the daughter of a chef 👨🍳 (my dad) and my mom a self-made gourmet cook we are kindred spirits of gastronomy. My husband says I inherited a cooking gene…I think my entire family has. I look forward to living vicariously through you as you discover Mexico’s food treasures. Buen provecho y salud! 😍
Hi Vicky, Thanks so much for the kind words. I love that you have such a connection with your family. I hope we can cook together some day. Mantente bien mi amiga.
Hi Lisa – I am so excited to read more of your blogs!! You have peaked my curiosity! I’ve never canned anything, but did help my mom can as a teenager so looking forward to reading more about that and also, food from Mexico!! Bring it on girl!! I’m ready to learn!!
Hi Teresa, Thanks so much for the encouragement. I can’t wait to share my knowledge. What kind of items did you help you Mom can?
Ohhhh that was a long time ago. The best I can remember it was stewed tomatoes, green beans, purple hull peas and pears. We had a pear tree in the backyard that produced LOTS of pears!! I’m sure there were other things she canned but those are the ones I remember.
ohh that sounds so good! One of my favorite pear recipes is my pear chutney. It is amazing on turkey burgers! I’ll add it to my list of recipes to share.
Hi hi. I was just reading your blog. Your passion for all things food and especially canning was really inspirational. Thank you for sharing, friend.
Thank you Kriss, you are always my biggest supporter and I appreciate and love you. What is your favorite item to can? And what is you favorite canned item I have made for you?
Love your blog! You’re a great communicator and I really enjoyed feeling like I was sitting with you having a cup of coffee and a visit. I don’t can and won’t can, (no storage anywhere) but do eat and love trying new recipes and tweaking old ones!
Thanks for the comment Jenny, I get it. Canning isn’t for everyone. I hope you will enjoy our adventures and recipes along the way. And since you are my karaoke queen, I hope we can sing together again soon.
This sounds like a wonderful journey of discovering new dishes and food preparation techniques. “Cooking done with care is an act of love.” C. Claiborne.
Thanks so much Jeff, I love the quote.