ABOUT THIS COOK:

I like to say I'm a lazy iron chef (I just cook with what I have around), renegade nutritionist, amateur food policy wonk, and inveterate butter and cream enthusiast! I'm a doctoral student in food policy in Boston, studying the changes in diet and health of new immigrants after they come to the United States. But I grew up in Northern Minnesota and am also a Norwegian-American dual citizen. So I have a lot of Scandinavian pride, which especially shines through in my cooking on special holidays. Beyond loving all facets of food, I'm a Renaissance woman (translation: bad at focusing), dabbling in a variety of artistic and scientific endeavors (I'm currently trying my hand at writing a children's book after having worked for a number of years at a children's museum).

• What is the strangest food you have ever eaten?
  ants, or Norwegian "old cheese", or Thai "horse piss eggs" (I didn't ask)

• What do you cook when home alone?
  Emily surprise! (it's totally unpredictable)

• Your most treasured kitchen possession:
  my lefse making equipment

• The ideal number of guests for a dinner party is:
  about 8