“In reading her writings, especially her recipes, I learned how best to write recipes for my own classes, so that students could exactly replicate them at home without my help. I learned that precision of language and detailed description went very far in ensuring that my students would have the confidence to run home and try making dim sum delicacies or a complete vegetarian North Indian feast without me standing over them.”

I like how you explained that. Very helpful. Thanks.

Ah, well, on day…

Robbin–both of my grandmothers are at my shoulder, always, when it comes to cookery. In fact, there is an old Norse word for what they are to me–the disir–meaning “female ancestors,” or “divine female ancestors,” or “heathen tribal mothers.”

Back when I was having trouble making pie crust, I invoked not only St. Julia, but my grandmothers, as well as all of the disir of my paternal line–all great cooks and all Bavarians, and talked to them in my head in a running monologue.

It helped get me over my pie phobia, and has made a good pie baker after all of these years.

Whatever works, right?

Maureen–I have a Swedish Chef doll, who for years was my kitchen witch, and presided over my kitchen. Now, because he is about fifteen years old or so, he is relegated to my office to keep him from getting coated with stir-frying oil, but he watches over my blogging.

I love the Swedish Chef and still sing his little song now and then while I am stirring….

Linda–Betty Crocker is a created persona, but she was played by different people over the years. There is a biography of her out–you should look it up. Very interesting reading.

Lucette–Irma is also very, very cool, but I didn’t grow up with her. No one I knew cooked from her, if you can believe that! Now that I have copies of her books that are mine, I enjoy her a lot.

Jenn–my family and friends inspire me, too. I like your heart and style!

Roxanne–welcome, and I hope you enjoy reading here. I love Rose and Peter, too , and I know some folks he has trained.

And yes, I love Ming Tsai. Not only is he a great chef and very inspirational to me, he is a handsome fellow.

Would you kill me if I said I have eaten at Blue Ginger, and it was just as amazing as I hoped it would be?