Hello, I'm Donna and I'm happy you're here!
LadyPearTree is the namesake for my website. My name is Donna Poirier i.e. Donna (meaning lady in Italian) and Poirier (meaning pear tree in French). In fact, my name represents my cultural background. Let me explain....
I grew up in a home with a strong Italian influence. My mother was a second-generation Italian Canadian and so the food and cultural influences from her background played a pivotal role in our home. Vegetables, legumes, soups like my Italian Lentil and Barley Soup with Vegetables and pasta like this Hearty Marinara with Sausage stood centre stage, while meats had a supporting role and at times no role at all.
On the flip side, my father was born to a French Canadian father and his mother was of British and Irish descent. Roasts, rack of lamb, plum pudding and shortbread are foods I would eat when visiting my father's side of the family.
Finally, having grown up in Québec, Canada and still living here, the cultural influences from where I call home are also prominent in my kitchen.
Needless to say, I love food. Whether it's the comfort food of homemade pizza, gnocchi, or lasagna or experimenting in the kitchen with foods from other cultures, cooking is fun. I welcome new challenges and I am happy you are here.
Cooking Background
I have been cooking for my family for over 25 years. In fact, I soon realized when I moved out all those years ago that cooking was a creative outlet for me. Years later I still feel the same way.
Over time, I have created recipes that I have jotted down on scraps of paper, in pretty notebooks and in well-organized binders with categories. Now I use this website to chronicle recipes past, as well as formulate and create the recipes "du jour" (of the day).
My Biggest Fans
My husband and teenage kiddos are my biggest fans. Though one kiddo has flown the nest, they are all big supporters of my cooking.
While sitting around the dinner table, it is not uncommon for me to ask my family to critique their food! I value their opinion because they offer constructive criticism that helps me develop amazing recipes for you.
Fun Tidbits
- Before I was a stay-at-home mother, I was an equity trader
- I love watching Antiques Roadshow
- My best pal is my dog and her name is Lola
- I can't walk by a shoe store without perusing the shelves
- I'm not a big fan of ice cream
- I save the elastics from the broccoli bundles-anyone else do that?
Let's Eat!
Ready, set, go! Let's embark on this cooking journey together. I love to hear your ideas and welcome your feedback. Please send your emails to [email protected]