I'm a single mom, so I don't have much time to spend cooking, even though I enjoy it. So, my favorite recipes are the quick and easy ones!! But, I don't like using a lot of processed foods. I prefer to use fresh vegetables (or frozen, if I have to) and fresh meat. I don't like a lot of store-bought sauces etc. I'd rather make them from scratch - so that I know exactly what goes into my meal, instead of all the added sodium, msg, and whatever else they add to processed foods. I absolutely LOVE pasta - any shape, size, or sauce! My family is Italian, so we do things the Italian way. We serve peeled, hard-boiled eggs and boiled potatoes in our spaghetti sauce, and we eat the salad at the end of the meal. That's strange to many people, but normal to me! My dad is the BEST when it comes to smoking/bbq'ing. I can't tell you his recipe, because it's different every time - it all depends on what he has on hand. It's all about the marinade and the wood you use in the pit. He is truly insulted if you ask for barbecue sauce!!!