Originally from Canada (wasn't an option on the "hometowns" list!), lived in Minneapolis for 13 years, then moved to the South where my husband is from. Done a lot of international traveling - been to every continent except Asia so far - and experienced a lot of fun food along the way! Curries of every variety, with spiced rice dishes, chutneys, and all the other "fixins" ... working with dough and pastry ... and anything with fresh herbs or whole spices. Loved making holiday dinners, especially the things that took days of preparation in advance, like cabbage rolls and hors d'oeuvres and things like that. In the absence of family while traveling, I find my way to the kitchen every chance I get to learn more home cooking with women of other cultures and enjoy their unique sense of humor. Serving Thanksgiving dinner to my Southern in-laws, with my own spin on fried okra that had them raving; and creating vegan versions of my favorite desserts for friends ... among the best were pineapple cream cheese carrot cake, and a luscious banana cream pie. The first omelette I ever made for my husband, which "looked like it was dropped on the floor and kicked" ... a botched batch of salsa ... tandoori chicken minus the paprika (it tasted great but looked like it was marinated in pepto-bismol...or else just still raw!) ... and serving a friend homemade pizza with WAY too much jalapeno!