I'm doing more cooking than ever these days, as a newlywed with a hungry guy who comes home expecting more than Lean Cuisine. Hmmm. I've always loved cooking, but had developed a bad habit of dinner party cooking-- everything new all the time, and all very fancy. And in between times, microwave meals for me, or take out. So now I'm learning how to cook real stuff for every day. Add to THAT the fact that I have just moved to Lisbon with my Portuguese husband (did I mention he is often hungry?) and I've got to figure out how to shop in Portuguese and cook fish with heads on them. I need this site more than ever! Baking is my first love, but I'm drawn to anything I haven't tried before. I love desserts in general, since the payoff is so great, I guess. My mom was a totally utilitarian cook-- only after I had grown up and left home did she start experimenting with new recipes and ingredients. But I do remember baking cookies with her before Christmas. She has the BEST shortbread cutouts I have ever tasted-- I can't even eat any others around the holidays! That's one recipe I DO make over and over! Anything that makes my guests lick their plates and ask for more. My almond coconut layer cake is pretty good. And I do a fantastic roast chicken. I once made a crust for apple strudel that was so shiny, thick and hard when I brought it to the table to cut, between four of us we couldn't get it open with the knife, fork, or any normal utensils. That was an interesting dinner party... I have since been introduces to a pastry cutter. VERY helpful! (My crusts have improved immensely since then!)