I am a lifelong cooking amateur who also works as a freelance writer specializing in food and travel. I'm a big fan of soup, pasta, and anything that I can throw together. I don't usually cook with a cook book and I don't adhere to recipes. My family's Southern and German, but we tended toward cooking of the delicious and expedient variety. Delicious family dishes include: bread dumplings, simmered kale dishes, soups, pot roast, fried chicken, chili, hot sour soup, and more. hmmm. Many delicious pasta dishes, pot roasts, and takes on vegetarian comfort food. Also, I got a tagine for christmas, which makes everything fall-apart delicate and juicy. I've never made a really good vegetarian chili (meaning one that's satisfying to carnivores, too). And if you're someone who likes non-lumpy mashed potatoes or uniform consistency, then you'll be badly disappointed.