I'm a bench scientist who has just learned to cook. I finally found the man of my dreams, and suddenly I wanted to cook for him. Must be biological! I cook like a scientist, and stick to the recipe to the point of it being ridiculous (like I hate onions, but add the exact amount the recipe calls for... I'm working on it). Just learning to bake, and there is an amazing thrill when I pull a batch of muffins out of the oven and they are perfect! I love cooking simple easy meals that have lots of spice and complex flavors. I grew up in a home where my father cooked, not because he loved it, but because he hated it less than my mother did. I'm now in the process of building my own traditions, I think they will revolve around simple but delicious food with that leans heavily towards the Italian style. I love Rachael Ray. Every recipe I have made from her books has worked and been spectacular. My greatest triumph so far is when I cooked for my sweeties family (Cowboy Spaghetti) and everyone, including his 4 year old nephew, ate and enjoyed the meal I prepared! Lentil Soup. I didn't get the ratio right, because I used canned instead of dry lentils. It ended up being more like onion soup. My sweetie still teases me about it. It was nasty but he ate it, and lied through his teeth about it it being "good". He really loves me.