I'm a poor graduate student who enjoys cooking and baking when time allows. I've been destroying kitchens since 2005. Seasonal dishes, seafood, soups, vegetables, healthy foods, spicy foods, desserts. My Italian side has some great recipes, but they are still a little difficult for me or make way too much. My father is my culinary inspiration. Someday I hope I have his savvy with flavors, sense of timing, and pinache with the utensils. Amazing brownies for a roommate's birthday. Some great soups last winter, including wildrice and lentil. Delicious peanut brittle and heavenly fudge last xmas. Superb potato salad last spring. Awesome apple/raspberry pie. Getting better at being creative and doctoring recipes. My goal is to be independent and able to work without a net, so to speak. Still working on the perfect Pico de Gallo and guacamole... The stuffed mushrooms from last thanksgiving... OH MY GOD SO BAD. That loaf of banana bread that tasted horrible. Roof shingle-like brownies. BURNED peppermint bark (what a disaster!).