Cook Next Door Meme

I've been tagged, again. This time by Kelli of Culinary Epiphanies and for a different meme. Okie dokie, so here goes!

What is your first memory of baking/cooking on your own?
Well I think that would probably be when I was 11 or 12. I actually joined this 'Home Management' ECA (extra curricular activity) in primary school. ECAs were a compulsary thing and well this particular one was very fun and I did lots of cooking and baking for that. I still remember making rock cookies for the first time, even using puff pastry and making my own bread pizza. It was a blast. I loved bringing those goodies home to show off to my family.

Who had the most influence on your cooking?
I would say my youngest aunt. She's my mum's youngest sister and she bakes very well. Since I was a wee lil kid, I've always been helping her out in the kitchen when she kneaded dough for bread or measure ingredients for cakes. She's such a darling - used to come to my home to bake up some yummy goodies like cheese-cake pie for my birthdays when I was much younger. I guess I've always wanted to be as good at baking or cooking as she was.

Do you have an old photo as evidence of an early exposure to the culinary world and would you like to share it?
Can't find any at the moment but would definitely post it up if I do find one.

Mageiricophobia - do you suffer from any cooking phobia, a dish that makes your palms sweat?
That would have to be meringues or macaroons. You see, I've always tried making them but they never work. Egg whites scare me sometimes. Overbeat them, and you get slush. I really wonder how people actually achieve those beautiful stiff peaks. I'd like to blame the humid weather here and my lousy mixer, but well maybe I just have yet to master the art of beating egg whites. Though I have always thought that if I had a KitchenAid Mixer, I wouldn't face such a problem!

What would be your most valued or used kitchen gadgets and/or what was the biggest letdown? The most used kitchen gadget would have to be my baking sheet. I bake cookies alot so yes, I have to have a baking sheet. Though I would love to get a Silpat mat. But I haven't seen it being sold here.

Name some funny or weird food combinations/dishes you really like - and probably no one else!
I am not sure if it's considered weird, but I love mustard and tabasco sauce and I eat it with almost anything. But I still haven't gotten used to wasabi though. I know both are similar in taste but dijon mustard is still my favourite. I love spicy foods and yes, I do put tabasco sauce in soups sometimes to give it that extra kick!

What are the three eatables or dishes you simply don't want to live without?
bread, chocolate and pasta

Any question you missed in this meme, that you would have loved to answer? Well then, feel free to add one!

Three quickies:Your favorite ice-cream?
Rum and Raisin. But I also love Ben & Jerry's New York Super Fudge Chunky. Both have to share the title of my favourite ice-cream =)

You will probably never eat?
insects

Your own signature dish?
my brownies

Question added by Zarah: On average, how many times a week would you cook something to satisfy your sweet tooth?

Too many times. About more than 3 or 4 times.

Question added by Cathy: What do you usually eat for breakfast?
I usually eat fruits and wholemeal bread for breakfast. But lately, what I've been doing is blending apples, oranges, and celery with rolled oats and some yoghurt. It might not sound much, but it tastes good and I feel very healthy after that.

Question added by Alice: What are your stand-by dinner options when you don't have the time or the inclination to follow or create a new recipe?
Sandwich. I love sandwiches and they're fuss-free! Cheese-omelette sandwich with mustard, ham or tuna, lettuce, tomato etc... they all work for me.

And, last but not least: Tag three people!
okay, i'm going to tag Colin again. hope you don't mind doing another meme again!
and J, and also COBOYPB of simple joys.