Hello There!

New Year, New Site

Hello, there.

Thanks for stopping by my site. Creating a place where I can share my recipes and other musings is something I’ve wanted to do for quite some time. Truth be told, this is probably the fourth site I’ve started but the first I’ve actually launched.

I’m going to assume that for a while most people who find their way here already know me but, just in case, let me introduce myself. My name is Samantha Engler - you can call me Sam (now that we’re friends and all). I live (and have always lived) in Southern California. By day I am a pretty boring administrative employee. But by night? By night I am… a pretty boring 20-something who loves to cook!

I credit a heavy diet of Food Network with sparking my love for the culinary arts. Throughout middle school and high school I devoured TV shows starring legends like Ina Garten, Alton Brown, Rachel Ray, Emeril Lagasse, and patron saint of excessive food and impressive charity: Guy Fieri. My parents encouraged me in the kitchen. I remember when I first started showing an interest, my Dad told me to sit down and watch a collection of videos online about knife safety. He was more than happy to let me cook, as long as I did it correctly (and safely).

I have learned a lot since those days. I’m far from a professional but I have a lot I want to share. Which brings us here! I plan to post traditional recipes, technique guides, tips to get you out of your culinary comfort zone, and the occasional random essay on anything from food to pop culture to history.

I can confirm a few things: 1. There will be lots of pasta, 2. There will be lots of butter, 3. There will be no diet culture (no tying food up with guilt here, folks!).

If there’s anything you’d like to see - please let me know!

Keep cooking.