Happy Friday!

This is a picture of the grape arbor in Mama and Papa Diva's yard ... and it has nothing to do with today's post ... other than for me to ask Pixelgal: how's that jelly coming along? ;)

Its Friday and I have one million errands to do before what will be a busy weekend. Also, we had left-overs last night so its time for something quick and easy here. I stole this meme from Jo at Taking Over the World One Bite at a Time. Click the link and you can read her answers - then scroll down for her report on the recent slow-food event in San Francisco. Looks like it was amazing! If you're a fellow blogger, you can steal this from me and link back your answers in my comments if you like. If you're not a blogger, pick a few interesting questions and sound off in the comments. Hungry Diva wants to know!

Sweet or salty?
Salty

Which ingredient(s) do you use most?
Garlic, chicken, zucchini

What’s the cooking sound you most love?
Not really cooking, but I love the whistle of my tea kettle. Conversely, when I'm deep in the throws of holiday baking, I'm tortured by the sound of my kitchen timer. It haunts me in my dreams and by the time the last batch of cookies enters the oven I'm ready to stick a fork in my ear.

What’s your favorite cooking smell?
The smell of homemade sauce and meatballs simmering on the stove.

What are the qualities you most admire in a dish?
Texture and great, balanced, flavors.

What is your most treasured possession in the kitchen?
My Kitchen Aid mixer. (See above holiday marathon baking reference.) It was a birthday present from my mom some years ago and it completely revolutionized the baking madness.

What is a dirty word in your kitchen?
There are several: frying ... never do it, fat ... try to avoid it, liver or organ meats ... no, just no!

What are afraid to do in the kitchen?
Nothing that I can think of, I'm pretty intrepid.

What won’t you eat?
Liver or any organ meat, oysters, snails, goat, black pudding, lamb, several kinds of fish ... shall I go on?

Have you ever lost your appetite for a food you once loved?
Not that I can recall.

Have you ever had a change of heart involving a food you once disliked?
So many that I can't even begin to list them.

If you could choose one historical or living cook to make you a meal right now, who and what would it be?
She is neither historical nor living, but I'd have to say my grandma Pam. She's historical to me, to my family, so I guess that counts. I want her to make me ziti and meatballs or her homemade pizza. There's not a single celebrity chef who could hold a candle to either of those dishes. Period.

Who are your favorite cookbook authors/food writers?
Is it wrong if I say myself? (Kidding, I'd probably say Dorie Greenspan.)

What is your favorite food-related word?
Crisp!

What is your favorite food-related scene from literature or the movies?
Weird, but I can't think of an answer for this one. I'm stumped.

What’s your favorite food-shopping errand or journey?
This only happens when we're in CT ... but it happens *every* time we're in CT ... going to Liuzzi's market.

To which country would you move for the food?
I'd stay here in the USA because we have so many great food options. I love to travel, but I'm always happy to come home. If pressed, perhaps Italy ... but after spending 3 weeks there I was soooo ready for some fat-free yogurt and a salad!

What’s your poison?
Poison as in a good thing - chocolate, pasta, New Haven pizza.
Poison as in a bad thing - you know I'm going to say the sea creatures. See also above referenced organ meats. ~brrrrr~

What’s your standard outfit in the kitchen?
A t-shirt and jeans ... or sometimes ... ok, often ... pj bottoms!

You wish to die with what in your stomach?
I plan to live forever so this question is irrelevant.

If heaven exists, what do you hope they have on the menu?
Grandma Pam's ziti and meatballs. Sensing a theme here?

If you came back as a fruit or a vegetable, which one would it be?
Neither, I want to be a lap cat.

What are you craving right now?
A vacation!

Have a great weekend, all ... and make it Divalicious!