Tag Archives: Kitchen Babble

I Feel The Magic…

It’s been a while since we’ve engaged in a meaningful chat, dear readers of The Wannabe Gourmet. Pull up a chair and I’ll pour a cup of coffee for you.

Most people find Autumn/Winter to be a time for descent/death and spring to be a time for Rebirth. While I feel that way, too, I also see beauty in the rebirth brought during the Autumn/Winter timeframe, when the slate is proverbially “wiped clean,” giving us the ability to create, to find ourselves again.

Since I started this website in October 2008, there have been many ups and downs in my life. Sometimes the gardens have blossomed in beauty and life has been better than I could ever imagine. Other times, the weeds took over and an occasional tornado has blown it all away. I’ve been catfished, I’ve been married, I’ve been divorced. I’ve gone through hades in employment, but kept on travelling and, after a period of almost 17 years outlasted a supervisor whose sole intent it was to either terminate me or make it so I’d resign. I’ve had health issues culminating in a heart attack due to stress. Through it all, however, has remained the desire I have of assisting others in learning there’s more to life than just take-away food and UberEATS.

We’re at the start of a New Beginning for The Wannabe Gourmet. To be pendantic, I, Jonathan Everyday, am looking forward to this continued journey. My love for photography and cooking has never waned…though it had been severely curtailed due to circumstances. The kitchen should never be a place that scares you. So you have a dish that doesn’t turn out the way you’d like…. we’ve all had that. The important thing is that you learn from your experiences. Grow from life. Move beyond what didn’t work…into what allows you to shine. Maybe you’re not meant to be able to make beautiful desserts. Maybe main courses just aren’t your thing. Maybe…just maybe…you’re like me and can’t cook in small amounts. (The solution to that is simple: either get a freezer, or feed your friends and extended family!)

Join me in the voyage to new beginnings. Feel the sparkle. Embrace the magic!

Photo © 2022 L. B. Siegfried, Richmond, VA

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Back in 2009!

So, it’s been a while since I’ve posted — there’s been lots going on in my life that has kept me out of the kitchen and away from the blog. 2009 has started with a great number of resolutions for me — mostly dealing with breaking free of my restrictive past, moving into the future as a new and improved Jonathan.

What did you resolve to do in 09? I will be posting more recipes and babbling more. New updates, coming soon!

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Greetings From The Wannabe Gourmet!

Hi there everyone! Jonathan here again. I hope that you’re finding some recipes that are useful or that inspire you to make your own masterpieces.

A few things that I’ve learned over my years in the kitchen that I thought I’d share with you:

The first time, always make the recipe the way it’s written unless you have a food allergy. This will give you a starting point as to how the food should look, taste, feel, smell, etc.

Secondly, when making the recipe again, make it your own. Don’t be afraid to alter spices, ingredients. By putting your own signature on it, you might just make a new family favourite.

Lastly, don’t attempt to take short cuts. Sure, using store bought pie crust is okay, but using canned mushrooms instead of sautéed mushrooms not only alters the flavour, but the texture as well of your completed dish.

The most important thing? HAVE FUN! Cooking shouldn’t be chore-like. You should always strive, regardless of the situation, to enjoy every step of preparation.

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In the Kitchen with the Wannabe Gourmet

There are times when my mind wanders as to what would make a good breakfast; most of the time, I’m having a cup of steaming coffee and a Clif bar (Apricot or Blueberry Crisp are my two favourite at the moment). But there are days, like today, when I have to have something more – so I made waffle sticks and had frozen blueberries on the side.

Continue reading In the Kitchen with the Wannabe Gourmet

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