I live in beautiful New York State and love every season. I love the art of cooking, love to watch people cook, love to read recipes and when I finally have the time to cook, it is exciting to try something new. For years I only prepared basic meals, like spaghetti and meatballs, roasted chicken and potatoes until I caught a few shows on the Food Network. I became inspired by many of the chef's techniques and cooking styles. I have discovered a great appreciation for fresh herbs, interesting flavor combinations and quality produce. I look forward to learning everything I can about cooking. Steak or chicken fajitas. I love the whole process of slicing the red and cubanelle peppers, sweet onions, chopping a little cilantro and garlic, and blending these with wonderful flavors of lemon juice, olive oil, cumin, chili powder, salt & pepper, and once cooked, rolling everything in a warm flour tortilla. Fun! Also enjoy the process of making basil pesto, stuffed peppers, manicotti, and meatsauce. My favorite cooking tradition is spending a day with family and friends every year in early December to bake cookies. It is always a surprise as to what type of cookies everyone will bake and what new friend or neighbor will join us that year. A triumph to me is any dish or dessert that I'm confident I could serve to someone I don't know. (As family is usually very forgiving!) Among the triumphant is a great recipe I have for New York Style Cheesecake, my own lasagna recipe, a slow simmered pork recipe by Bill Telepan and those amazing chocolate chip cookies on this site. My cooking tragedies all involve over-estimating cooking time when I'm making my own dishes, especially chicken.