Derby Pie; individual dessert cakes; lasagna; couscous surprise; Indian chutneys; bread; soup; elaborate salads; Mediterranean-inspired dishes. I grew up at my mother's table where the Jewish holidays always got special attention. I not only have fond memories of making hamentaschen with my sister and everything for Passover with my mom and sister, but we continue our traditions of cooking together today, still learning from each other and enjoying that time together. Making gefilte fish with my mother from our family's recipe(and not be grossed out by the fish heads!); Making flan from scratch; making & frying 5-lbs of potatoes worth of latkes from scratch in a party dress while staying clean and keeping my 30+guests happy; making tiramisu from scratch as part of a 6-course meal all while in Law school. Derby Pie: I decided it would take less time to make a pie shell from scratch than to buy one. When I realized how wrong I was (having already made the pie dough) I greased and floured my glass pie pan and put the pie ingredients in straight. Harried with other recipes and arriving guests, I left it in the oven for 30-60 minutes longer than called for, and in lieu of derby pie served what looked and tasted like a great big cookie. Couscous surprise, the dish that surprises even the chef: i had a bad day at work and was running late for a potluck and hadn't noticed the flame had gone out under the pot. 20 minutes later, nothing was cooked and I was distressed. And shocked when everyone enjoyed the dish whose recipe calls for 3 parts anguish to 2 parts tears, 4 oz. frustration and 1 part luck. And couscous, of course, which I've forgotten at least once (surprise!)