United States Chef
John Spottiswood Profile
Love cooking eating & sharing
CookEatShare Points
About me
I am happily married and a father of four. My wife Nancy does most of the daily cooking in our house, but I usually plan and cook one meal each week. I've spent 2 years living in Japan, and have a great appreciation for Asian food. My favorites are Thai, Japanese and Vietnamese, but I also enjoy Chinese and Korean. I spent time in the Indian town of Pune, and also love Indian food. I had wonderful food there cooked by Ekta Vengateri, a good friend. Still, French and Italian are probably my favorite cuisines, with Greek, Turkish and Moroccan food just a short step behind!
Cooking Influences
I originally learned to love food from my grandmother, Betty Carr Spottiswood. She had only a small number of dishes that she cooked, but she cooked them with pride, love and humility. No matter how wonderful her roast was, she'd always complain that it was too tough or too dry as we all gobbled it down happily!
Later, when I was about 14, I began to join my family friend and rugby coach, Pete Frichette, for dinner once a week. Pete is a true renaissance man--an architect, athlete, scholar, and passionate cook. I began to come over early to enjoy a glass of wine (a treat at age 17) and to help Pete prepare the meal. Pete taught me about fresh herbs, italian and french seasoning, wild game, root vegetables, and the wonders of homemade broths.
After my sisters and I moved out, my father David Spottiswood also became an avid chef. Every Sunday we congregate at his house and share the most wonderful meals. He is well traveled and as a result well versed in many cuisines. I have learned numerous wonderful recipes from him. Last but not least, my aunt Jeanne Templeman is an amazing cook. Many of my favorite family dinners, and most delicious meals, have been around her table.
Recommendations
Favorite Cookbooks
- Essentials of Italian Cooking (Marcela Hazen)
- This book is a tour de force that will tell you everything you need to know about Italian cooking...
- The way to cook. (Julia Childs)
- If you are just beginning to learn French and European cooking, this book is a must. If gives you a
- Stews, Bogs, & Burgoos
- This is an offbeat book that I picked up at a book sale. However, it is a gem! Some of the best an
- Cooking with All Things Trader Joe's (Wona Miniati)
- I worked Wona and she's awesome. Also shop all the time at TJ's so this is very handy!
Chefs I recommend
- Mark Tabak (Sacramento, CA)
- I've eaten a simple Posole with fresh quesadilla's at Mark's house. It was a simple treasure. Mark can make a wonderful dish out of the most common ingredients!
- Francesco Mazzi (Tokyo, Japan)
Comments
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- May 4, 2013Car tradee can potentially save you thousands on all makes and models
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- April 23, 2013A little past due, but thanks for the warm welcome here, and I'm now following you as well.
- April 12, 2013Hi John, thanks so much for the follow. Look forward to sharing and connecting with other members. Have a great weekend!
- April 7, 2013Thank you for the personal interest younhave expressed by trying to solve my problem. However, it seems that I have done something right after my third attempt proved to be successful.... One has to learn, not so? As you can derive from my use of the English language, it is not my natural tongue, thouh I am trying. I am Afrikaans speaking Suth African, and we hve a lovely legacy of apt sayings, or idioms.. The one appropiate to this situation, roughly translated, says, "probeer is die beste geweer!" Meaning, trying is the best gun!
Well I tried, and I have posted another recipe, always a winner, I sell a lot of them during warmer seasons. Wishing ou the best of luck, don't stop what you are doing. Wy don't you write out a competition? I'm sure it will attract a lot of interest...?
Bye! - March 31, 2013I tried twice to post my nonotie recipe, but it seems to me I have failed, after all the trouble !?!?
- March 21, 2013My first follower; goodness. I had forgotten about this website and just now logged in, since I need to change my email address. And there you were...thank you. If only I could find out WHERE to change my email address, I'd be in business. Coco Paz, Santa Barbara
- March 19, 2013Thank you for following me. I was directed to this site because I was seeking recipies and tips for using the GE Advantium oven. I don't see a separate user's group for that. Am I missing something?
- March 7, 2013Hi John, Thank you for following me! (makes feel a bit special! :P) guess I better start sharing a few more recipes! any requests?
- February 26, 2013WHAT HAPPEN TO COOKEATSHARE I DIN'T GET ANY MORE RECIPE ANY MORE.
GARY ESTESS 210 5599999 - February 17, 2013Hi John .......The Way To Cook.......Your right perfect for the intrmediate cook but great base to move in all derections of Euro. cooking....! nice to meet you. Tony
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- February 5, 2013Hi John, I was curious about your Pinoy Okoy. where did you get the recipe? Thanks..
- January 27, 2013Hi John, please tell me how can I delete my page, this woman had a friend on Facebook who harassed me sexually ... there were difficulties so that's why I blocked it ... Then she sent me here with you inquiries .. and am trying here to me denigrate
@ C. Sherman ... Why they will not let me live in peace, please go away from my side .... Charlene Sherman and delete my email address, I want to know nothing about them ... I have a family! -
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- December 23, 2012Hi John
Pleasure to meet you.
Be still my heart I sooo love Asian food, just not the spicy stuff unfortunately my gut won't take the hot stuff. I make my own chicken ball & sauce, egg foo young, chicken fried rice,egg rolls, beef and broccoli would love to try some new Asian recipes. Looking forward to checking things out here and sharing recipes.
Take care
Merry Christmas to you and your Family - December 18, 2012Hi John, I enjoyed your page. I love to cook. Just about everything you mentioned and in the same order just about. My joy would to be open a restaurant. I had a coffee shop with live music 5 nights a week and homemade scrumptious goodies but they sold the building . Then life went on and I never found the right place again. And I love coffee, anyway all day !! My new venture is a cook book. My mother was an excellent French cook and we grew up on a farm with everything fresh. She has Dementia now and alot of her dishes are lost but I feel she was so awesome and loving this will be my honoring of her life. I love her soooooo much . So I have ask all friends and
people I have met to give me their favorite Moms favorite dishes in honor of their Moms, Dads or families And a their name or a little story if they like. ; )
So I would love one of your favorite memories.
In Gratitude and fun !!
Fran -
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- December 4, 2012Hi John, I am looking forward to some of your recipes and website. I am gluten free and I am hoping this website will assist me in my meal preparation. I live in southeast Indiana 50 miles from a major city, very much out in the country.......very remote. Hoping to learn more about gluten free cooking. As I was reading your profile, I noticed your family always gets together on Sunday for a meal. My family also gets together every Sunday after church, and has a meal together. When I say my whole family, that includes, all 4 of my sisters, their kids, husband, and my parents. It is always a wonderful time, to share food and fellowship. This website is a good idea.
Vicky - November 22, 2012Hi John, you have a great disposition and am looking forward to your recipe posts. With such a diverse food experience, I have high hopes. I'm new to cook eat share and am excited about the prospects. Best of luck to you and yours. Happy Thanksgiving!
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