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Meet Amy

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Tasty Kitchen Blog: Meet Amy Johnson of She Wears Many Hats.

 
Meet Amy Johnson, known here as missamy. You might recognize her pretty face as the one behind She Wears Many Hats, a blog she started less than a year ago. Which probably means you could add The Flash’s headpiece to her list of hats.

Prior to becoming a full-time stay-at-home mom, Amy was a graphic designer who became an Art Director, working in the advertising industry for eight years. And prior to that, she was busy dreaming of becoming a cruise director like Julie McCoy from The Love Boat, sailing around the world meeting people and planning events.

I think the travel industry lost out on that one.

Amy and her husband live in upstate South Carolina with their two children, ages 11 and 14. She says that their home is always filled with music and goofiness. And, from the looks of her Tasty Kitchen recipe box, their home is also filled with good food.

Amy professes a love for singing, accompanied by terrible, hive-inducing stage fright. She lists photography and gardening as her current favorite hobbies, confessing that she is an overambitious gardener who is always planting more than they can manage.

Cooking, for her, is mostly therapeutic, and listening to her favorite music while cooking is some of her favorite “me” time. And as beautiful and perfect as her dishes look, she declares that she’s always making stupid mistakes in the kitchen. “Always,” she reiterates. But she doesn’t let those mistakes dissuade her, and instead sees them as opportunities to learn and become a better cook in the long run.

Although, honestly, it sure looks like she’s already well into “better cook” territory.

Tasty Kitchen Blog: Meet Amy Johnson of She Wears Many Hats (Savory)White Bean Chicken Chili on the left, and Chicken Cashew Lettuce Wraps on the right.

 
 
 
Amy’s recipes here are as diverse as, well, the hats that she wears. Aside from many delicious, creative dips, she also has wonderful breakfast ideas, like the Basic Baked Eggs you see in the top photo. You should also consider checking out her recipe box if you’ve got some brie and don’t know what to do with it. She’ll fix you right up.

Tasty Kitchen Blog: Meet Amy Johnson of She Wears Many Hats (Brie)Simple Baked Brie (left), Mini Brie Bites (center), and Turkey Brie and Apple Grilled Sandwich (right)

 
 
 
And although she says that baking gives her the most trouble in the kitchen (more on that later), you’d never know it looking at some of her dessert recipes.

Tasty Kitchen Blog: Meet Amy Johnson of She Wears Many Hats (Sweets)They’ll Make You Sing Muffins on the left, and Chocolate Muffins with Pumpkin Frosting on the right.

 
 
So, without further delay, let’s ask Amy some questions and get to know her even better!

 
 
Q: Do you have any favorite chefs or food celebrities? Who inspires you?
A: There are so many great chefs to admire and follow nowadays, but I recall as a child watching at eye level my Nana and her mother, my Nanny, cook, creating things from scratch. I remember thinking how gifted they were and how special it made me feel that they would spending time working with their hands for our family. And it was always, always good.

 
Q: What is your go-to dish or meal?
A: Pasta. It’s easy and I always have ingredients on hand for some kind of sauce combo.

 
Q: What if you had to eat something right now, and had only 3 minutes to get it ready? What would it be?
A: I’m make an egg sandwich. Or, if it’s summertime, a fresh tomato sandwich.

 
Q: What gives you the most trouble in the kitchen?
A: Baking. When I cook, I don’t really measure, so baking throws me a bit. I need to understand the science behind it all. Recently, I purchased Dorie Greenspan’s “Baking: From My Home To Yours” in hopes that it will inspire me in my baking endeavors.

 
Q: Give us one of your favorite kitchen tips that you wish you’d always known.
A: I wish I’d always know to relax, because cooking is not brain surgery. Unless I’m cooking with truffles (which I’ve yet to so far) or other ingredients that cost more than the pot they’re cooked in, I try to remember to chill, turn on some favorite music, and have fun.

_______________________________________

 
Thank you, Amy! For taking the time out to answer our questions, we promise never to ask you to sing on stage. We might, though, as you about this picture that’s been going around these parts.

For more of Amy and her multitude of hats—all of which she dons quite skillfully—head to her blog, She Wears Many Hats.

 
 

59 Comments

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klevin on 2.18.2010

Lettuce wraps!

Judy Stacy on 2.18.2010

My favorite recipe is Ree’s apple dumplings. They are so easy to make and the taste is out of this world. I have to make triple the batch and thety still disapear quickly.

Marjorie Faisst on 2.18.2010

Baked Brie and apple sandwiches rule!

Marjorie Faisst on 2.18.2010

Great recipes! So happy to discover this site.

kathy on 2.18.2010

my favorite to date–is the yummy
caramel sticky buns…

i know you didnt say why–but when they are warm and stick all over your fingers-you get to lick and smack you lips–
sheer happiness…..

D Sommers on 2.18.2010

The hominy recipe!!!

Mary on 2.18.2010

Brownie pudding among many others!!! So many delicious recipes in Tasty Kitchen..So hard to pick a favorite. Love the recipe site.

Pamela S. on 2.18.2010

I’m new here, but I’ve tried the thyme roasted carrots form the Pastor and I loved them. Yummy!

Karen on 2.18.2010

Butter Chicken! Mmmm.

Nancy Poehlman on 2.18.2010

Love those cinnamon bun pancakes!

Bridget Turner on 2.18.2010

I tried the rib recipe last month and made my child drool over them. LOVED them.
I love the turquoise dutch oven too.

Barbara G on 2.18.2010

French breakfast puffs :)

quirkfarms on 2.18.2010

I love all your recipes, but those cinnamon bun pancakes were glorious!

marianne A Pitchford on 2.18.2010

Best Cocoa Brownies by Smitten Kitchen are dark chocolatey delicious!!

Diane on 2.18.2010

I’m partial to spaghttie and meatballs with a few twist of my own

Cecilua on 2.18.2010

PW’s cinnamon rolls are my favorite. My family absolutely loves them.

Linda Bandow on 2.18.2010

Where to start……I have tried several of the recipes and loved most of them but my world rocker comes from an old HP Cookbook from years ago…..for a Shredded Pork, Beef and Chile Verde spectacular guaranteed to knock the socks off about anyone who gets one! I am going to post it (with attribution) because I believe all TK’ers deserve it! Seriously, people will stand in line for this. And since DH has actually ruined two of my Le Creuset pieces I feel that I NEED a replacement.

Susan on 2.18.2010

Tried those pancakes. Dear God. I can die a happy woman.

Vicki Hoebing on 2.18.2010

LOVED the Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Thingies — took them to a Super Bowl party and everyone raved about them.

Aimee on 2.18.2010

Amy you are my new best friend! All of your recipes are going into my file to try. Diet, wha?

sarah on 2.18.2010

cinnamon bun pancakes!!

peggy bolton on 2.18.2010

My family loved the Yumma Brussels Sprouts.

Lori Wagner on 2.18.2010

chocolate smores bites

Kathy Oakes on 2.18.2010

I’m still working on making every single thing in the PW cookbook! I love the cowboy calzones and never dreamed I could ever make anything like that. My husband is begging for more of the chicken pot pie. They’re all wonderful!!

Susan Voigt on 2.18.2010

Cinnamon Bun Pancakes…mmmmmm

Jennifer on 2.18.2010

I love the Chicken Cashew Lettuce Wraps!!

Susan O. on 2.18.2010

Cinnamon. bun. pancakes.

Goodness me.

Sheila Pinson on 2.18.2010

I would have to say my fav would be, I believe they were called Tutrles, the pretzel, rolo and pecan. So easy to make and the right salt/sweet combination. I keep them on hand at all times.

Janet Howard on 2.18.2010

Since we raise beef cattle, with a deep freeze full of beef, Pioneer Woman Drip Beef, very delicious.

Debbie on 2.18.2010

I’m a newbie — but I recently tried a to-die-for pie — with a chocolate chip cookie dough crust and toffee cheesecake filling — y-u-m-m-y!!

Jodilynn Greico on 2.18.2010

Our favorite is the cinnamon bun pancakes. We are new to this site, tho not to PW. Thanks for all your great blogging!

Clarissa on 2.18.2010

I love the truffles! My kids love to help make them too!

Helen Long on 2.18.2010

I made cream of broccoli soup this week. It was lovely. That’s my favorite so far! by the way, Le Creuset rocks.

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doridori on 2.18.2010

I made a chocolate chip cookie from this site that was wonderful, but lost the exact one!! I guess I will just have to make them all.

Sara F. on 2.18.2010

Love each & every recipe I’ve seen! Anything chocolate would be a favorite although the cinnamon bun pancakes would be hard to beat.

Susan on 2.18.2010

I love your mushrooms

Terrie Orlowski on 2.18.2010

Me, the Chocolate to live for cupcakes!
My family, the Marlboro Man’s sandwiches!
So many to choose from! Keep them coming!!! Please :)

Lynda H. on 2.18.2010

My favorite recipe is the current one posted.

Kristen Miller on 2.18.2010

Hard to choose one favorite, but the cinnamon bun pancakes from the Fat Tuesday post were AMAZING!!!! =] Thanks for a great recipe. My love handles are happy too.

Margo/MS Hospitality on 2.17.2010

Nice to meet you, Amy! Your blog and recipes are all feasts for the eyes!

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catherinej on 2.17.2010

Now I’m hungry!

I have a deehlish stew on the oven atm and that coupled with some ideas I’ve browsed above are driving me oveeerrrr the edge!

Happy cooking Amy, it’s great to ‘meet’ you.

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Ree | The Pioneer Woman on 2.16.2010

I just love Amy, and I love her site. Beautiful photos, and ever since I first saw it I haven’t been able to get that beautiful soft egg (with the toast) out of my mind.

Amy, you’re a great asset to Tasty Kitchen and the internet in general. :)

Maggie on 2.16.2010

These are evil. I love it!

Shari Binion on 2.16.2010

Amy,
Your recipes look amazing, can’t wait to try some of them out.

You should totally check out Alton Brown’s book about the science behind baking. It really helped me!

The title is:

I’m Just Here for More Food: Food x Mixing + Heat = Baking By Alton Brown.

They sell it on Amazon but I checked it out at my local library.

Happy Cooking!
Shari

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Dandy on 2.16.2010

Oh Amy! Its so exciting seeing you on here!!

Michelle on 2.16.2010

Thanks Erika!

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Erika (TK) on 2.16.2010

Michelle, that’s Amy’s Basic Baked Eggs that you see in the top photo. When you make it, can you whip up an extra batch for me too?

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manda2177, i am baker, i am mommy on 2.15.2010

I thin that Miss Amy is Miss AMAZING. I LOVE her blog. Not only are her creations divine, but her photography is flawless!! Amy, you are wonderful and creative and smart and a fantastic writer and I wish you could be featured here EVERY week!! Keep up the amazing and inspiring work girl… you are just wonderful!

Blessings-
Amanda

Michelle on 2.15.2010

Hi Amy!
What is the dish at the top of the page with the bread? I need to know what that is and how to make it. I’m captivated by it. HELP

Sandy on 2.15.2010

OK girl, when I come to visit, I want to try all of that food!

Congrats on being featured here! You’re a talented lady. Can’t wait to see you in Napa …