Born and raised in NYC, relocated to New Orleans last Spring. Used to help my mom cook and bake as a kid. Grew up thinking it was totally natural that my mom cooked a full, balanced, homemade dinner from scratch every night. As I got older, I realized how fortunate I was to have been raised to appreciate good food! Growing up in Queens, NYC means I've been exposed to a plethora of different cuisines. My palate is extremely diverse. I didn't cook much from scratch for years, but recently I've been trying to cook much more often, and I'm relearning all the joys that come along with it. I've been a vegetarian for years and I love cooking food that's healthy and low cal without sacrificing taste. I especially love spicy and savory food. I make potatoes ALL the time. I love to roast veggies and bake quiche. I also bake peanut butter chocolate chip cookies and oatmeal cookies. I enjoy making soup. I love making omelets and fritattas. Generally, I enjoy cooking whatever I'm in the mood to EAT. ;) My mom always made everything from scratch. She even grew her own potatoes for her tomato sauce. My bf and I are going to start our own garden this Spring, so hopefully I'll be able to continue that tradition. My mom also taught me how to make some bangin' Indian dishes. I baked four quiche for my best friend's bridal shower, and they were a HUGE hit. They were absolutely heavenly. Another night, at a friend's house, there were no snacks -- nothing but a few raw ingredients and a can of condensed milk. We improvised made the richest chocolate pudding ever. :) My brother and I once set our stovetop on fire while cooking for twenty.. My dad saved the day with a fire extinguisher and thankfully hardly anything was ruined.