My Mom always said that if I learned to cook my wife would thank her someday. Well I learned how to cook and my wife is definetly thankful. At about 8 years old my Mom started teaching me some of the fundamentals of being a good cook. I still remember the Thanksgiving of 1989 when I was only 12. Mom was really sick and could not get out bed to make dinner. She told me that it was up to me to get things ready and I was able to prepare a great feast for the whole family. I did make about 26 trips up to her bedroom asking her questions about tricky items such as the gravy. I love cooking and eating what I cook. This website has been a great resource to find recipes when I can't think of anything to make. I am also starting to put other cooks in my favorites. I did this because I liked your review of a recipe I tried and might try some of the other foods you reviewed. I love things with a southwest, or tex-mex flavor. I also really like making things on the grill, a lot of times I will combine the two. UPDATE: I just bought a vertical smoker so that I can start smoking things like Ribs and Brisket. My ribs on the grill are a thing of beauty! Growing up my Dad didn't do a lot of cooking. When he did it was almost always pancakes. I don't know why but my Dad just loves making pancakes. Since I was little I have eaten every kind of pancakes imaginable. We had potatoe, wild rice, blueberry, strawberry, sweet potatoe, whole wheat, sour cream, and walnut pancakes. If I had to pick one thing that I am truly proud it is my fire grilled chicken fajitas. They are so good people often beg me for the recipe. I always tell them to check Allrecipes.com because someday they will be here for all to try. The worst thing I ever made was when I tried to cook some beef tongue. It was so bad the dog wouldn't even touch it! It was by far the nastiest thing I ever tried to cook. It was like eating gum but with beef flavor. It sure smelled good while I was cooking it too bad it was like eating tires.