I'm a new grandmother who has never cared a whole lot about cooking. But as I approach retirement, I want to do better. Anything baked (especially chocolate). Quick and easy meals with lots of flavor. Crock pot meals. Baking and freezing Christmas cookies in the months leading up to the holidays. I make a mean Chicken Cacciatore. My prime rib at Christmas always comes out wonderful. Don't put peas in a stew at the beginning, it makes the stew a green, mushy mess.