Taste Testing

We have the unique privilege of living next door to a wonderful woman, Donna-Marie Pye, who is a Home Economist. She has worked for the Turkey Board and the Pork Board, teaches cooking classes to children as well as adults, makes pies and cakes for special occasions and has written three wonderful cookbooks. Her specialty is family-friendly dishes cooked in a slow cooker.

Donna-Marie is currently writing another crock pot cookbook which is great news for all of her neighbors and friends! You see, we get to taste test her recipes for her. When Donna-Marie is ready to test her recipes, she gathers up 8 to 12 crock pots from her friends and tests a different recipe in each one. Then she returns the crock pots at dinner time so we can enjoy a fully cooked meal. All she asks is that we fill out an evaluation form and give her honest feedback.

Tonight was a taste testing night and we were given an Italian Beef Stew for dinner.

This delicious stew was loaded with beef, potatoes, parsnips and fennel and just before serving a handful of spinach leaves were added.

It was truly delicious but unfortunately, I can't share the recipe just yet. We are all sworn to secrecy until the book is published!

So, in the meantime, we will continue to be her taste testers (I know, it's a hard job!) and when her book is published, I will be sure to let you know!

Bon appétit!