Receta Interview With Nida Deguitene
After paging through the most amazing recipe book I really wanted to meet Nida. Sadly she was in South Africa at the same time that we were in Scotland, and so I really missed out on what I knew would be a fantastic conversation. Luckily for me, Nida agreed to do an interview for my blog.
Who has been the most influential person in your life?
My late grandmother. Besides being a great cook she was my hero and my big friend. After the war my grandmother was deported by Soviets to Siberia Gulags along with her husband and 4 kids. To me it has always been the best example of a strong family ties: they survived horrible life in the camps. My granny was the one who was teaching local Russians how to cook and preserve food. I, as a child, used to have the best birthday parties, full of goodies cooked and baked by my grandmother. It is a shame I didn’t take over all the recipes from her – I was still too young when she passed away…
What started you on the path of cooking?
Curiosity and passion. When I grew in Lithuania, which at that time was under Soviet occupation, there was poor access to food products and I was not allowed to experiment in the kitchen too often. My mother was a great cook and she took a good care of our family. However, when I moved out of my parents’ home and have got my own kitchen – I couldn’t stop enjoying freedom of cooking and discovering new dishes!
Which three ingredients could you not live without?
Salt, eggs and cottage cheese.
Which of your kitchen tools would you take with you anywhere and everywhere?
My sharp chef’s knife. If I still have space left –my pasta machine, because I adore home made pasta and I hate rolling the pasta dough
Do you have any pet peeves in the kitchen?
Usually – no. Because kitchen is the place where I come to enjoy, to create and to rest. I must admit though, I am not a big fan of cleaning the kitchen after the cooking session
Which meal is your all time favourite?
Crepes with cottage cheese. This is the dish I was served for 12 years when I was going to school! Believe it or not, my mother would cook delicious crepes with cottage cheese every single morning! I wouldn’t leave to school without having my delicious crepes!
Which restaurant could you visit over and over again?
TAIZU (Tel Aviv)
If you could only have one recipe book, which one would it be?
Currently – Donna Hay “The modern classic”. It is my inspiration both for cooking and for food styling and photography.
If you could work alongside one chef for a day who would that be?
Justin Queck (Singapore)
Which ingredient will you not eat or cook with?
Mushrooms. It is funny, because I grew up in the area in Lithuania known for highest quality wild mushrooms!
What is on top of your bucket list?
To travel around the world with my camera and time to take plenty of cooking classes!
What is your food philosophy?
Tasty and healthy.
Any parting words for the readers?
It is my honour and privilege to be hosted at the famous South African blog Lavender and Lime! Many thanks for Tandy, who I hope I will meet in person :). I look forward to visiting South Africa – the most beautiful country on Earth – for the launch of my book “Tastes of Israel” in September. And to having my favorite ostrich steak in “Butchers Shop”
You can take a look at Nida’s blog by clicking here.
Disclosure: This interview was facilitated by Jean from Penguin Random House South Africa. This post is in line with my blogging policy.
What I blogged September 30:
Tandy
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