Born and raised in Houston, TX. I enjoy painting, reading and of course...cooking! I've always had an interest in food, cooking and experimenting and trying new things. Funny thing- growing up, i wasn't allowed to cook...when i became independent, I became a cooking maniac! The kitchen is my favorite place in the house...well, second to the dining room. :) There are so many things that I love- It's a tie between Asian food and Italian food. I love jasmine rice so I cook and try so many things that go with it- especially stir fry, crispy or grilled chicken glazed with variates of my own home made sauces, veggies, meat, etc ... Italian food is so rich, aromatic and full of deep herbs and spices. I think Italian food is exotic. All of my senses are stimulated- visually and the amazing smells before you even take the first bite...mmmmmm It's hard to put my finger on a cooking tradition. With scattered family, frequent moving and continuously changing surroundings- it's hard to pin point and take a hold of cooking traditions... The first time I tried seafood lasagna for when my husband's family came over for dinner- His dad and uncle said it was fantastic... coming from a very Italian family, where their mother did homemade from scratch pastas, sauces and amazing Italian food- it was a triumph! I made Chinese pork Congee soup with thousand year duck eggs...and realizing the cultural difference and the unfamiliarity of the taste. I think it's delicious but it's just too different of my husband. He wasn't too happy. :(