I grew up on a farm in Minnesota to a German family of meat and potato eaters. In college, I was *accidentally* introduced to a beef tenderloin appetizer at a top restaurant (my 21st bday) that my husband-to-be and I were surprised to see was rare. We tried it anyway and LOVED it. Ever since, I have been a lot more willing to try new foods and love it... although trying to cook myself is a new adventure! I love to make kabobs on the grill. Meat and veggies all rolled up into one dish that even the hubby will eat. I also think the slow cooker is great! Growing up, my parents would cook with sauerkraut and I really liked it. Sauerkraut and ribs in the slow cooker... sauerkraut on a bratwurst cooked over a campfire... Yummy! Now, I love our Thanksgiving deep fried turkey tradition--the hubby injects it with marinade and deep fries it. It's been fun to see how our Thanksgiving dinners have evolved over the past ten years we've been together... :) I cooked! :) I stopped buying all the frozen stuff and started experimenting with recipes this past spring (2008) and it's been great. My favorite so far has been Smothered Filet Mignon from this site and a Ginger Chicken recipe from another site. Any kind of chicken breast that is coated in bread crumbs prior to baking. It comes out tasting like sand every time! The recipes get rave reviews and all look so yummy... I just can't figure out what I'm doing wrong!!