I’m a recent graduate with a degree in environmental science and policy, who can’t keep out of the kitchen!

My passion lies in conservation and sustainable food systems, but I dabble in the many areas of the environmental field. As a quasi- granola-crunching, tree-hugging, nature lover, I am quite fond of biking to my various destinations, turning off lights, and composting the excessive quantities of vegetable ends and fruit peels. While I have joined many of my peers in searching for the ever-elusive form of (paying) employment, I am also enjoying the additional free time I can devote to baking and experimenting with recipes.

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

This March challenge will only be my third as a Daring Baker, but I have been greatly enjoying myself so far. Being a part of this group has motivated me to push myself to try new things in baking, as well as provided a support network and people with whom I can share my triumphs and failures!

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

The silpat has revolutionized my baking! I feel so much less wasteful than using and tossing parchment paper, and has all but eliminated the need to scrape pans post-baking! My other favorite appliance is the immersion blender; it has made making applesauce and smooth soups such a pleasure! Still, I am a bit old-fashioned and I prefer a wooden spoon to an electric mixer!

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

In school, I was the one who would produce a batch of vegan cookies out of the blue – always greatly appreciated by the sleep-deprived, cramming students in the vegetarian coop to which I belonged. So generally, people knew me for vegan baked goods. If you were to ask me now, I think apple pies and vegan truffles are my favorites and the biggest hits among a variety of eaters.

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

I really want to try making vegan petit fours. That’s been on my list for a while now.

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

For books, I like to read a non-fiction (usually depressing, about the state of our planet) and a fantasy (to escape the reality of our dire situation) novel simultaneously to balance each other out.

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

(a) I would donate some to a good environmental nonprofit.
(b) I would invest in a good ride bike and a few essential baking tools I desperately want (pans, piping, etc.)
(c) If I had a couple thousand leftover, I would plan a frugal traveler trip to either Greece and Israel or Peru!

What is the ultimate comfort food to you?

Roasted winter squash and sweet potatoes. Mmmm.

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

That’s a toss-up between fall and summer. I LOVE summer because of the plethora of delicious seasonal produce – tomatoes, peaches, strawberries, zucchini, etc. I’m also extraordinarily cold intolerant, so the summer months allow me to bask in the sunlight and absorb heat for the winter  On the other hand, winter squash and root vegetables make me so happy. Roasting veggies in the oven is one of my favorite pastimes, and roasted root veggies that abound during the fall take the cake for best roasting.

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

I’m surprisingly domestic, enjoying sewing and knitting in my free time. I love stimulating novels, NY Times crossword puzzles, and backyard gardening. And, to appeal to my crazy adventurous side, I enjoy traveling to new and exciting places!

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

My food blog is relatively recent. I began it when I started my trial on a vegan diet two years ago, but I only started posting religiously this fall. However, I have been blogging for a good four years now, documenting my summer adventures. So, on my blogger dashboard I have nine blogs total, but six of those are no longer updated! So, if there is any question, I DO like blogging. As to favorite post? I have no idea, but I think my favorite blog post series was from the summer of 2007 (http://rsf16mg.blogspot.com).

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

Why are you asking such difficult questions?
(a) Desserts/baking: Love, Eric (vegan, macrobiotic)
(b) Savory/Cooking: toss-up between Bloodroot vol.II; Veganomicon; and Passionate Vegetarian (Crescent Dragonwagon’s massive tome).

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

Well, besides the general concept of highly processed, greasy, meaty, and wholly unhealthy and unsustainable foods? I can’t stand cilantro, anise, or fennel seed (I don’t mind the bulb when caramelized)

What’s your favorite flower and/or plant?

Let’s restrict this to ornamentals…how about ornamental kale or tiger lilies.

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

Well, Seattle has a bunch of fun vegetarian/vegan restaurants that I really enjoy. Café Flora is always fun. Sutra is a good splurge for the ‘experience’. Chaco Canyon Café is a bit pricey, but has some really tasty lunch-time foods. If you are just looking for a quick bakery buy, Le Panier in Pike Place Market, Essential Baking, or the illustrious (and expensive) Bakery Nouveau in West Seattle are all good picks.

Who taught you how to cook and/or bake?

According to my mother, I am “self-taught.” I peruse cookbooks obsessively and I have been making most of my own meals since I gave up meat at 13. I would say my earlier experiments in low-fat baking were disasters (my parents would agree), but my cooking as a whole has really matured over the past few years!

What’s your favorite holiday and why?

Thanksgiving – I think it epitomizes the values that used to be central to American way of life. It celebrates seasonal abundances, family, and gratitude for what is available to you. I think many people have lost sight of this core set of values, and it has largely turned into a gorge-fest. It has never been a terribly important holiday in my family, but I have recently taken to the ideas at the heart of it, trying to stay true to my local, seasonal ingredients, and being thankful for what I have and for those able to share the time and food with me!

Reading any good books lately? Which ones?!

Just finished The End of Food by Paul Roberts. What a downer, but a lot of good info. Also, highly recommend The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. He is a pleasure to listen to, so the recorded version is really wonderful.

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

Eat chocolate. Maybe watch a movie, play online scrabble, or read a good book. But definitely, chocolate.

Where is your favorite vacation (holiday) destination?

Good question. Don’t have one, but would love to continue checking places off my “To Travel To” list.

Do you have a food addiction?

Chocolate. Good, Dark, Dairy-Free, Chocolate.

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

How about my favorite meal this week? I made a vegetable stir-fry with broccoli, carrots, green beans, and mushrooms served over a bed of quinoa (also made with mushrooms).

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Food blog stalking. Chocolate (sensing a common theme?).

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

I like a mix of earthy greens and browns, and brighter teals and purples. Black is always good, too.

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

Kitchen. I could care less what my bedroom looks like. As long as my bathroom is clean, I’m happy. But the kitchen…I would LOVE gas burners, a double oven, marble counters…

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

All I will say is I love her cookie book and that she had Babycakes NYC owner on her show.

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

Occasionally Iron Chef or Chopped, but not often.

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

Sweet: cardamom, all spice, or cinnamon
Savory: I’m more of a sweet person…but maybe cumin?

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

I’ll pass on this question…I don’t know.

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

basil (fresh) or lemon thyme

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

Butternut Squash Risotto: http://rsf16veg.blogspot.com/search/label/risotto

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

In school, I used to make batches of chili, quinoa, soup, etc. and freeze them for the week.

You can visit Rachel on her blog My Munchable Musings