Laurie: Concocting Formulas from the Lab to the Kitchen
“Cooking for each other is a wonderful act of love.”
As a chemistry professor, constructing experiments is nothing new to Laurie. The only differences are that her lab at home is her kitchen, and edible, delicious meals are the outcome of these experiments. Read her Heroes in the Kitchen story below:
Name: Laurie
City, State: Tulsa, OK
I cook for: my husband and myself. Cooking for each other is a wonderful act of love.
Outside of the kitchen: I teach organic and basic chemistry.
Being able to cook allows me to: apply my chemistry skills to my home lab – the kitchen, and spend more time at home at the dinner table than in a diner booth.
Favorite Cook Smarts meal: Seared Tofu Matchsticks with curried cabbage and carrots
How did you learn to cook?
My mother taught me the basics and Mark Bittman’s How to Cook Everything cookbook taught me the finer skills, like how to make an egg roll.
What’s been your biggest cooking challenge in the past?
Our biggest challenge has been putting together a menu and a grocery list for the week. In the past, if we made a plan to make a specific dish, it would happen, but otherwise, we would end up throwing out lots of food that we never remembered to cook and eating out a lot.
How has your cooking routine changed recently?
Now our cooking routine is an integral part of our schedule. We talk about what we’re going to make on the way home and whose turn it is to cook. There’s none of the, “Well, what do you want to eat?” and the reply, “Well, I don’t know, what do you want to cook?”
“My ability to stir fry is un-real now.
Jess’ instructions have leveled me up.”
What new skill or dish have you cooked that you’re most proud of?
My ability to stir fry is un-real now. Jess’ instructions have leveled me up. My stir fry vegetables are now crisp and the meat is still tender. Win!
What advice would you give to other home cooks on reaching their cooking goals?
Haha, my only advice would be for them to use Cook Smarts.
Good advice, Laurie! We know teachers have their work cut out for them, so if we can make things easier for our educators, we will, even if it is just helping out with dinner. Here’s our way of saying thanks!
To join Laurie and cook meals like her favorite Seared Tofu Matchsticks with curried cabbage and carrots, check out our meal plan service. You can get started for free!
