Cooking with Vicky D
Food is life and I haven’t met a problem that a taco couldn’t fix. Ha! Maybe that’s a little obsessive and slightly dramatic, but that pretty much sums up my love for food, flavors and culinary experiences. Since I can remember, food has always brought me joy. At first, I prepared home-cooked gourmet meals from my Fisher Price Kitchen and Easy Bake Oven. Then, I spent countless hours watching OG chefs on PBS like Julia Child whipping up delicious dishes and soaking up all of the recipes.
I dibbled and dabbled in the kitchen most of my pre-teen and adolescent years, but it wasn’t until college that I discovered my true passion for food and cooking.
And then life happened.
Dietary Restrictions
In 2009, I found out I was lactose intolerant. In an instant, well more like after a 6-hour medical test, my life changed and foods that I once enjoyed were no longer an option. Sadly, no pill would (and still doesn’t) help me digest ooey-gooey bites of cheesy, creamy goodness, and nondairy alternatives weren’t as accessible as they are today.
Learning to Cope
Instead of continuing down an unproductive path of depression, I decided to channel my energy into finding ways to prepare delicious meals without all the ingredients that clearly caused me discomfort and made an effort to pursue a healthier lifestyle (more on that in the fitness section). I even started a blog documenting this journey, but unfortunately didn’t follow through because well, of course, life happened.
And that is where we find ourselves today.
How I eat today
Most of the time, like 80%, I eat a pretty clean diet – paleo, Whole30, gluten-free recipes that are full on flavor and friendly to my tummy. I’m pretty sure I’m gluten intolerant even though I haven’t gotten that confirmed from a doctor. The other 20% of the time is where the comfort food lives - scrumptious Sunday dinners, decadent desserts, quick and delicious weeknight meals that make a Tuesday a tad bit more special. My husband is one lucky dude. ;)
Cooking is my love language. I prepare something hearty that sticks to your ribs and creates memories through flavors. To see me cook in the kitchen is an intimate and special moment and you, dear friend, are invited to the table.
Oh, by the way
I go back and forward between Oreos and tacos being my favorite food. Call me basic if you like. Avocados are God’s gifts to humans. I eat at least one per day, but find the notion of paying $12 for avocado toast a little pretentious. Finally, cucumbers are the bane of my existence, absolutely disgusting and ruin every dish they touch. Of course, another dramatic moment, but that’s how much I don’t like them. Sucks to a be a cucumber, right?
Now that we got the formalities, grab a skillet, a cocktail and let’s start cooking!
