I’m a jack-of-all-office-trades from Wisconsin, currently living in the middle of Illinois.

In my spare time, I play with my two kittens Ishii and Dexter, hang out with the world’s best fiancé, and experiment with cooking. My father was a chef, so I’ve had a love of cooking and eating for as long as I can remember. My blog has a focus on healthy eating with room for indulgences, which I believe is the best way to live life. Currently, I’m undertaking a “50 Countries in One Year” project, in which I make at least 50 different recipes from 50 different countries. It is definitely a challenge, but I’m having a great time.

How long have you been a Daring Baker/Daring Cook and what’s your favorite thing about being in the group(s) so far?

I’m only on my third Daring Cook challenge, so not very long! I am loving being in this group, though, as it forces me to do things which I otherwise might not get around to for a long time.

What’s your favorite kitchen gadget? How about your favorite kitchen appliance?

That’s tough—I am an accessories nut (whether for cooking, fashion, etc). I love my candy thermometer…not so much for making candy (which I never do), but for giving me accurate temps on my “lukewarm water” when making bread. I have a tie between my rice cooker (god love you, rice cooker) and electric griddle (hello, perfect pancakes) for my favorite (non-essential) appliances.

Are you known for making a certain dish or dessert? If so, what is it?

I make many awesome variations of chocolate chip cookies. I tend to ingratiate myself to potential new friends by making cookies for them. I had cookies delivered from a bakery to my fiance’s lab last week, and his coworkers actually asked, “Did Heather make these?!”

Is there any recipe and/or technique that we haven’t covered yet that you’d really like to make/learn?

Hm. Paella?

Do you have a favorite movie? Book? Genre of music? Actor? Actress?

For movies, it’s a tie between Gone With the Wind and Best in Show. For books, it’s between Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser, The Kid by Dan Savage, She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb, and The Giver by Lois Lowry. I like pretty much any music except for country or bubble gum pop. I have many favorite actors and actresses, so for now I’ll just pick Lee Pace and Leslie Mann.

You’ve just won $5000.00!!! What would you spend it on?

My wedding that’s coming up in September. Failing that, I’d save it for the time being, just in case of a layoff. I know, I’m so boring.

What is the ultimate comfort food to you?

Mac & Cheese (the real, uber-cheesy stuff OR the boxed Kraft stuff….I’m not particular. I just like cheese on noodles).

Which season (Winter, Summer, Spring, Fall) is your favorite.. why?

It’s a toss-up between Spring and Fall. I love the fresh rain-on-grass smell and flowers of Spring, and I love the alleviation of the intense heat of Summer that Fall brings (plus all the gorgeous colors).

Other than cooking and/or baking.. what hobbies do you enjoy?

I love going out for a drink (or—shocker—food) with friends, going for walks, reading, jammin’ out to tunes on the ‘ol iPod, etc.

How long have you been blogging? Do you like it? What’s your favorite post you’ve written?

I’ve had a LiveJournal since 2000, but just started my current recipe blog in October of 2009. I love writing and sharing my opinions, and this is an easy way to scratch that itch.

This is one of my favorite LiveJournal entries:

“Flipping through the Isthmus "Annual Manual" just now, I landed on the pet care page. One of the animal hospitals advertised the various services they offer, including "On-site ferret blood donors." :-0

Ok.

1. Honestly, how much use does that service get??

2. Those poor little guys. I hope they get juice and cookies after they give blood. :p”

What’s your favorite cookbook for desserts/baking? What’s your favorite cookbook for savory/cooking?

For desserts, I love “The Complete Book of Desserts” by Martha Day. For savory cooking….that’s tougher. I love all of my Cooking Light cookbooks, including the ones I compiled from magazine clippings, color construction paper, and a three ring binder.

Is there one food that you seriously dislike/hate? If so, which is it and why?

I seriously dislike beets. I have tried so hard to like them. I even dressed them up in honey and red wine, but I just can’t get over the taste and texture.

What’s your favorite flower and/or plant?

Irises.

Do you have a favorite local restaurant? If so, why is it your favorite and what kind of food is served there?

There’s not a lot of truly exceptional restaurants in the middle of Illinois, BUT, there is a really great “Asian Cuisine” restaurant in town. It’s mostly Thai with some Chinese cuisine thrown in. SO GOOD.

Who taught you how to cook and/or bake?

My dad taught me to cook, my mom taught me to bake.

What’s your favorite holiday and why?

Christmas. It’s just so darn heartwarming.

Reading any good books lately? Which ones?!

Always! I’m currently reading “The World Without Us” by Alan Weisman. It’s excellent and I highly recommend it to everyone with even the mildest eco-streak.

You’ve had a rough week. How do you relax after a rough week?

A couple beers and intensive cuddle-movie time with the fiancé.

Where is your favorite vacation (holiday) destination?

I love San Francisco.

What is your favorite cooking/food related magazine? Why?

Cooking Light. They are GENIUSES. How can one magazine possibly come up with so many ways to make non-fatty foods taste so genuine and delicious??

Do you have a food addiction?

Carbs. All of them. Give them to me.

What did you eat for dinner last night? Did you prepare it or someone else?

I made “Mediterranean-Style Stuffed Peppers.” It was a variation on a different vegetarian stuffed pepper recipe I’d made in the past.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Stupid girlie movies.

What kind of colors do you like? Pastels? Earth tones? Brights? Neons? Etc.

Bold colors….reds, blues, black.

If you had the choice of a free kitchen, bathroom, living room or bedroom makeover – which would you choose and why?

Oh my god, it would totally be the kitchen. My kitchen kind of sucks right now (though granted, it’s in an apartment). If there is one thing I drool over in home style magazines, it is a gorgeous kitchen.

The Martha – Angel of Domestication or Minion of Evil? Why?

Minion of Evil, both because she’s so perfect (HOW!?) and because you can see her snarky streak come out through her pleasant, even tones. You just know she sold her soul to someone.

Do you watch any competitive cooking shows? Like Top Chef or Hell’s Kitchen? If so, which is your favorite and why?

I love both of those shows, actually, but I don’t regularly watch shows that aren’t out on dvd (I’m too impatient).

What’s your favorite “sweet” spice? How about your favorite “savory” spice?

Sweet spice would probably be cinnamon…..savory (aside from salt and pepper, obviously) would be cumin. Is there anything cumin can’t do?

If you could eat in any celebrity chef’s restaurant which restaurant would it be, and which chef owns it?

I don’t keep up with many celebrity chefs, so I just don’t know.

What’s your favorite herb to cook or bake with? Do you prefer fresh or dried?

I love sage. There are not enough occasions to use it in every day cooking, but I use it when I can. Dried rubbed sage is great for things like baked ziti, but fresh is perfect for a roast chicken.

Is there one recipe on your blog that you would like to share with us? If so, leave the link here.

Totally. I once made Chocolate-Filled Croissants. It was my first time doing homemade puff pastry, and they turned out perfect. I’m not ashamed to say I’m still proud of myself. http://prettypeasrecipes.blogspot.com/2009/11/chocolate-filled-croissant...

Do you have a time saving kitchen tip you’d like to share with us?

This is obvious to people who cook a lot, but…. It’s much easier to prep everything before beginning your recipe. Sometimes if you try to follow a recipe’s steps, you’ll get lost and frantic trying to do too much at once (as in a Rachel Ray recipe—don’t even get me started).

You can visit Heather on her blog Pretty Peas