helpful hints : Jora's kitchen know-how.

Quite a bit of "cyber dust" has collected on our Helpful Hints feature and I decided that we needed to bring it back to life. Our newest article feature is a Q&A with Jora of Domestic Reflections. If you are a follower of her blog, you will know that she turns out scrumptious meals that all seem so effortless. Jora was kind enough to let me pick her brain and this is what she had to say.

How did your love of cooking come about?

I think I was born with it. I remember reading cook books at 5 years old. Also, my mom is a real foodie and most of my family members are the type of people who talk about the next meal as they are eating another. It drives my husband crazy!

What types of food do you grow in your garden?

I'm in charge of our herb garden, and I try to keep a variety at all times. However, I tend to forget to pay attention and sometimes have to replace the withered ones, if you know what I mean.

My husband, on the other hand, is in charge of the vegetable garden and he grows tons of stuff. In the summer, tomatoes, squash, beans, melon, cucumbers. In the fall and winter, lots of salad greens, cooking greens, carrots, beets, onions.... He tries different things all the time. Some do better than others. We also have quite a few fruit trees. Some of my favorites: meyer lemon, tangerine, pink grapefruit and persimmon.

Any recommendations for starting a garden for the very first time?

Have fun and don't be intimidated. My husband and I never had our own garden until about a year and a half ago.

Which herbs would you recommend starting with first?

I use rosemary, thyme, oregano and flat-leaf parsley the most. They also tend to be easy to grow. Sage and marjoram are also nice. Basil in the summer for sure. I've never had luck with cilantro and dill [they go to seed very quickly], but I would love to have those in my garden as well .

What are some basic skills that might help take your cooking to the next level?

I can't think of any particular skills per se, but I think subscribing to a magazine that isn't too fancy, like Bon Appetit, is really good for giving you ideas for seasonal dishes and simple recipes.

Any must have cooking utensils/pots/pans?

Hmmmm...I like to think of myself as sort of a minimalist. I think you need a good chef's knife, a good saute pan, a stock pot [doesn't have to be expensive], a good roasting pan, a food processor and a Kitchen Aid mixer. I really couldn't live without any of these things. I really don't have any gadgets. Some of the best home meals I've had have come from teeny tiny kitchens with nothing fancy in them.

What are some staple dishes your family loves?

Everyone loves soups, pasta and most casseroles [like chicken pot pie, enchiladas, etc.].

Any tips for picky eaters?

My son is fairly picky, and no, I don't have any tips....help!

Best all around cook book?

The Gourmet Cookbook -- I use it more than any other, hands down.

Where do you get your recipes?

Mostly magazines [I love Gourmet and Everyday Food currently] and online [especially www.epicurious.com]

How can you find out what is in season?

Just go to your local farmer's market and look around! Here is a pretty good online resource as well.

Favorite meal + dessert?

I don't think I could ever narrow it down to one meal and one dessert, but I do know I love home-cooked, seasonal, fresh food the best [that doesn't really help, does it?]. And I like Americana-style homemade desserts most of all, like fruit pies, cobblers, crisps, etc. My grandmother and my mom are the best bakers of these type of desserts, I might add!