I JUST LOVE TO COOK! SPECIALLY SWEETS! MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS JUST CAN NOT GET ENOUGH OF MY COOKING (THEY ALWAYS ASK FOR SECONDS AND MORE...)ABOUT 11 YEARS AGO I FOUND OUT THAT MY DAUGHTER HAS A VERY SEVERE FOOD ALLERGY(PEANUT NUTS,SOY AND WHEAT)THIS WAS A MOTIVATION TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BAKING AND TO COOK TO AVOID ANY POSSIBLE ALLERGY REACTION! TODAY MY SECOND CHILD DAVID HAS ALSO A VERY SEVERE FOOD ALLERGY TO EGGS,MILK AND WHEAT. IT IS NOW MY CHALLENGE TO RECONSTRUCT RECIPES ACCORDINGLY TO HIS NEEDS. EVERYONE ASK WHAT IS MY SECRET INGREDIENT I ALWAYS RESPOND: LOVE,LOVE,LOVE. PASTA WITH SEAFOOD,SPINACH PIES,STEWED LAMB,CABBAGE ROLLS, LENTIL SOUP, CANNELLONI WITH CHICKEN,LASAGNE WITH GROUND BEEF(IT IS A FAMILY MUST REQUESTED DISH)ROAST CHICKEN AND PORK. SPANISH SANCOCHO DR STYLE.FRENCH FRIES, SEAFOOD LO MEIN .SWEET FRIED PLANTAINS, FRIED CHICKEN,CHICKEN SOUP,B.B.Q. SPARE RIBS,OXTAIL STEW,RICE WITH GUANDULES DR STYLE. TOSTONES(FRIED PLANTAIN)MOFONGO DR STYLE. THREE MILKS CAKE,STRAWBERRY SHORKCAKE. FLAN(CUSTARD)CUPS CAKES(VANILLA, CHOCOLATE) I AM FROM THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC AND WE CELEBRATE TRADITIONAL HOLIDAYS AS WELL TRADITIONAL USA HOLIDAYS NOW THAT WE LIVE HERE FOR THE PAST 25 YRS. I CONSIDER MYSELF VERY LUCKY BECAUSE ALL RECIPES THAT I TRY THEY ALWAYS CAME OUT GOOD (ACCORDING TO MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS.) ABOUT 9 YEARS AGO I TRY TO BAKE HOLIDAYS CUT OUT SUGAR COOKIES. I INVITE FEW OF MY NIECES AND FRIENDS SO EVERYONE COULD DECORATE THE COOKIES. I DID NOT READ THE PART ABOUT TO CHILL THE DOUGH FOR 3 TO 4 HRS OR OVERNIGHT????/WE ENGAGE IN OTHER ACTIVITIES AND WE DID THE DECORATE THE COOKIES 5 HRS LATER OR MORE......