If other people think the flavor of a dish is too intense or aromatic, then I'll probably really like it. Lately, I get the most satisfaction by working with the ingredients I have on hand to make something work. Carolina style barbecue (pork with vinegar and texas pete). Thai green curry. I miss the days of rice-a-roni stroganoff. Though they retired it a few years ago, it was a staple in my childhood and later, during my starving student years. Would you believe that it took 4 lbs of heirloom tomatoes from my front yard to produce two big servings of out-of-this-world, simple tomato pasta sauce? Balancing fresh basil, garlic, shallots, lemon and sugar was key to my success.