21 years old, Brazilian/American heritage. This page is dedicated to the memory of my Grandmother (Abuela) Milagros, and my Mother(Madre) Linda, two very beautiful, dignified and creative women. My desire to cook stems from years of encouragement from both of them, combined with lots of love, patience, and kindness. Te quiero ambos querido! I love a wide variety of dishes: Cuban, Mexican, Spanish, Portugese, Carribean , and Middle Eastern. My favorites include Bistec con Arroz, (Steak and Rice),Pappas Rellenas,(Stuffed Potatoes) Pure Frijoles Negro con Chorizo;(Black Bean Soup with Sausage) Paella,(Spanish Seafood Casserole) Pernil(Roasted Pork Shoulder),Ropa Vieja (Shredded Tenderloin) Curried Lamb Marsala,and Flan(a traditional Spanish Custard). There are so many. One of my fondest memories as a child was visiting my grandmother. She was the "queen" of turning left-over bits of this and that into a really grand meal. I can never remember her not cooking, (as there was always great food on the stove.) I love to cook for large groups of people. My reward is their faces as they enjoy what has been prepared. I spend a great deal of time planning meals; food choices, colors,& arrangements symbiotic to the theme of the meal. To me visual presentation is just as important as the taste of your meal. Without mistakes there cannot be successes. As I progress, I have learned to limit the amount of cooking mistakes I make. Sometimes a mistake also turns out to be a great dish due to the fact it requires a little improvising if you plan to salvage the dish. I have learned to taste as I go, and to modify ingredients as necessary.(Nothing is written in stone) Cooking is an art and leaves plenty of room for creativity