heidikins.com

Last year, about this time, I could count the times I had cooked a “real” meal on approximately seven fingers.  I hated cooking and felt I was terrible at it.  And then came Whip It Up–a recipe challenge that I absolutely fell in love with.  I tried several new recipies, learned a ton about cooking, baking, and grocery shopping and now feel completely confident in the kitchen.  I even busted out my KitchenAid Mixer, which, I’m sorry to say, had been sitting in it’s box for over five years.  I know.  You may shun me.  Last year’s Whip It Up recipe’s included:

• Salsa Padre
• Lemon Madeleines
• Apple Pie
• Tin Foil Dinners (over a camp fire, no less)
• Roasted Potatoes with Artichoke Hearts
• Lemon Bars
• Garlic-Lime Chicken with Cafe Rio’s Cilantro Rice
• Aloha Sweet-n-Sour Chicken with Coconut Rice
• Key Lime Pie-Cakes (one of my all-time favorite desserts)
• Cafe Rio’s Pork Barbacoa Salad with Tomatillo Dressing

I feel like I have moved up in the cooking world.  I have a cooking blog that I *try* to update on a semi-regular basis.  I take pictures of every recipe I try–even the bad ones.  (I am made fun of this all the time, I got over it.)  I am currently reading Julia Child’s book, “My Life in France“, and absolutely loving how she talks about cooking and food.  And over the weekend I saw a preview for the upcoming movie “Julie & Julia” which is about, Julie, a regular non-cook who decides to cook her way through Julia Child’s recipe book.  Oh my goodness, I am so incredibly excited for this!  I might have peed a little during the preview.  Seriously.  (Shhh, don’t tell anyone.)

At any rate, blogs and books and new movies aside, Whip It Up is back this summer and I for one can’t WAIT to get started!  If you want to participate–and I highly recommend that you do–simply email your URL and your intent to whip to whippingitup[at]gmail[dot]com and you’ll be all set!

Millions of thank-you’s in advance to Erin and Julie, this year’s fearless Whip It Up hosts!

I didn’t really love the book Julie and Julia, but WOW, the movie looks so good! I can’t wait!

Comment by Janssen 2009 June 22 @ 3:41 am

Reply

whip it up sounds so cool! I wish I had more time… But I really shouldn’t procrastinate getting work done for ultimately getting my PhD…
maybe next year!

Comment by Inna 2009 June 22 @ 5:10 am

Reply

Oh, I totally just emailed it. Sadly, for a minute I had to think “what’s my/a URL?” Yea pathetic I know, let’s just hope i’m not that airy when it comes to Whip it Up!

Comment by Uzi 2009 June 22 @ 8:05 am

Reply

I read My Life in France and loved it too. So when I saw Julie and Julia on the self at BN, I had to get it. But unfortunately it was extremely disappointed with way too much vulagarity.
I also read “The Sharper Your Knife the Less You Cry” and I recommend it when ever I can, it is a good read.

Comment by iola 2009 June 22 @ 9:39 am

Reply

I loved Whip it Up last year, and I’m so excited to participate again!

Comment by Erin 2009 June 22 @ 11:34 am

Reply

I don’t cook but I’ll watch the movie.

Comment by Sarakastic 2009 June 23 @ 8:32 am

Reply

I don’t think I’m up to the level of participating in whip it up, but I do check out your whip it up receipes when I can and I have improved in the kitchen too. It may take some time to get me up to par, BUT I am also being taught Indian cooking, and can make a couple of meals now (thank-you! Thank-you very much). I’m mostly looking for healthy snacks for my kids, vegetarian, tasty, cute, refreshing. If you see anything, remember me please!

Comment by Jen 2009 June 25 @ 8:01 am

Reply