What’s a “wannabe foodie” to do?

I recently checked out two “foodie” books from the library…The Man who Ate the World by Jay Rayner (a food critic who also judged Top Chef Masters this summer) and Julie & Julia by Julie Powell (yes, the movie just came out). I’m not quite sure when I am going to find time to read them, other than pulling a “Renae” trick and hiding them in the bathroom so I can read a page or two here and there, but I’m looking forward to them.

You see, I consider myself a “wannabe foodie”. I diligently watch shows like Top Chef on Bravo, Chopped on the Food Network, and look up all the unfamiliar words on wikipedia…like ceviche and carpaccio and tartare. I read my Food Network Magazine cover to cover and dog ear the pages that look interesting, and sometimes I even try to make a few things (with varying success).

I also watch every season of The Next Food Network Star, and wish that I had any kind of cooking chops to apply to be on that show. Because seriously…even though the winner this year was touted as a “Mom”, one glance at her bio and you would see that she had a whole lot more training than they made it seem with their editing.

Me? Not even close to being a candidate…and even though I like to see the amazing things that they create, it is just not realistic for my everyday life. This takes me back to my point about being only a “wannabe foodie”. If we go out to a fancier restaurant, I usually end up getting the filet mignon, not the seared scallops or black cod three ways. I really don’t want to spend a lot of money on something that I may not like…which may be practical, but it’s not quite daring. Plus, when I’m cooking at home, I have a hard enough time getting my kids to eat things that aren’t breaded or look like noodles, so what’s a girl to do?

So, here’s my idea. It would satisfy my desire to cook good food, but it wouldn’t involve trying to feed my kids eel and mussels.

Everyone has at least one “surefire” recipe…maybe one that your family craves…maybe one you are constantly writing out for someone. On top of that, there is usually some story behind it about what makes it special. One that came to mind for me is my Mom’s punch. It is delicious, it has a long colorful history, and everyone always asks for the recipe.

Anyways, I think it would be cool to compile a whole bunch of those recipes, along with a picture and a short story, and share them on a blog or in a book or something. Wouldn’t it be great to have a book of recipes that work, instead of having 20 cookbooks that you probably make only four recipes out of each one? Wouldn’t it be great to have recipes made by real people, not chefs that can cut onions paper thin or make a delicious salad out of a rutabega, dandelion stems, and a peach? (nothing against chefs or anything)

I know…that’s what allrecipes.com is for…but I think that having the connection to the family or person would make the food come alive.

That’s my idea. I’ll never be on the Food Network or demonstrate how to sear salmon, but who knows…maybe I can still celebrate good food…in my own way…