Fabulously Fierce Friends, Deirdre

1. Who are your role models - food related or otherwise?

My mother, Suzanne is an adventurous cook. When I was a child she experimented all the time. A ferocious reader, she is always exploring artful cook books. Regardless of whether she was underway on our 31' sailboat cooking while healed on an angle or on the fly to a dozen hungry skiers my mother is unflappable, gracious and innovative.

I love Anthony Bourdain's adventuresome tour du force and enjoyed his book. And OF COURSE, Julia!

2. What is your drink of choice?
Beer on Tap: Bass
Beer in Bottle: Budweiser & Longtrail
Summer Cocktail apres Sail: Dark n' Stormy w/ Goslings
Winter Cocktail apres Ski: Bailey's & hot chocolate
AM: Orange Juice
PM: Lemonade
Tea: Rooibos
Coffee: Hazelnut
On the Go: Vitamin Water & Snapple Peach Iced Tea

3. What is your favorite cookbook or other food related book?

Love "The Joy of Cooking" and also love "New England Table"

4. What was your most memorable meal and why?

It's hard to say the most anticipated meal is my mother's Thanksgiving feast!

5. What is your favorite kitchen gadget or tool?

Popover tin & Blender

6. If you had to make dinner with ingredients at your home right now, what would you make?

Popovers with maple butter. Spinach salad with strawberries, pine nuts, pecan crusted goat cheese, craisins, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, with Balsamic Vinegar

7. What kind of music do you like to listen to while you cook?

My ipod- which varied. But I will say if I had a choice: Billie Holiday

8. What is your philosophy on cooking and eating?

Make enough for everyone especially an unexpected guest. Presentation goes a long way.

9. Are there any foods you can not stand to eat?

Canned veggies- mostly mushrooms and olives. Not a fan of fennel.

10. If you could use any super power in the kitchen, what would it be and why?

Make time stop or at least slow down so my life doesn't interfere with my cooking. I love cooking and wish I had more time to spend at the supermarket, shopping, enjoying food instead of rushing, shovelling food in and trying to fit everything in!

Pie crusts- I get the timing off all the time. I have sadly given up and (gasp) do store bought.