Most people know a few things about cooking by the time they're adults. How to boil an egg? How to run a coffee pot? Not me... I grew up on Manhattan's West Side and by the time I hit twenty, I knew two things - how to make a reservation, and how to order. Imagine my surprise when I married, set up a home and couldn't afford to dine out every night? I learned to cook as a necessity. I also discovered a few things about myself in the process... I'll try everything once. My favorites --> Indian, Thai, Chicken any which way. I love (and have perfected) lemon-coconut cake. We're Jewish and Russian through and through. I've resented our seeming lack of culinary heratige but now I'm starting to return to our roots - kugels, cholent, and challah making...My husband is South African/Middle Eastern also - I've loved learning all these yummy middle eastern foods. I made the most amazing chocolate ice cream once... Also Salmon cakes wrapped in dough with a homemade pesto sauce - pretty awesome. My favorite though? Curry and Burritos. I once had a dinner with 5 guests and served the most amazing grilled pineapple chicken - completely raw.