Born in NY and living almost all my life in Israel has introduced me to a wide range of cooking. Coming from a long line of food lovers and the clean plate community, I definitly appreciate food. Good food. I have my well known dishes that I am asked to make again and again but I love to try new recipes and learn new things. I am sorry to say but my family cooking traditions include too much salt, oil and frying. Although this is known to make tasty food, I have learnt to make it healthier but keep it tasty. My cooking triumphs don't go to a specific dish but to a whole ensamble. I love the compliments I get for a whole meal or an event, that include the food, the menu, the layout and the atmosphere. Who remembers? Isnt that why they invented "selective memories"? But I can't forget the holiday dinner (Passover) with 30 dinner guests and as we sit to eat I find out the whole pot of chicken soup went sour (was out of the fridge to long). Luckily I had saved the chicken and vegetables from the soup seperatly. I threw them into a soup pot, added fresh water and lots of chicken soup bioullion. Until we got to the soup - it was ready and perfect. I choked when my father in law commented that its the best soup he has had.