I am the type of person who likes a change of pace... new places to see, all kinds of music, new foods to try. Routine is good sometimes, but I would go crazy if I had to do the same thing all the time. I love new foods and flavors, especially light fresh flavors. I like all kinds of cuisines, and although I am not vegetarian, I tend to prefer vegetarian foods. I like using the stove top more than baking, although I love home making all kinds of breads... from dinner rolls to tortillas to crepes to naan. As a child I really didn't have cooking traditions. My mother was never fond of cooking although she was very good at it when she did it. I do try my best to replicate her green chile' stews and posole' during the holidays. By watching her I learned to cook tasty foods by using whatever happens to be in the pantry. She also taught me about enjoying fruits and vegetables from the garden. Now that I have a family of my own I would like to say that I have a cooking traditions, but I don't. I consider anytime someone wants my recipe a triumph (although I often don't have a recipe to give them!) In my time I have taken some pretty awesome stews and desserts to potlucks, as well as having thrown some amazing dinner parties... oh, and I now remember a birthday party where I served homemade pea and cauliflower samosas. I made a mango chutney to go with them, and even now, twenty years later, I remember they were amazing! I don't know why I haven't made them again. Hmmm.... my greatest tragedy is probably that even though I make plenty of delicious foods from scratch and from all parts of the world, if you asked my eleven year old son what he wants served for his birthday, he would ask for cheese pizza.