Cooking is how I relax after a tough day at work. Chopping food and smashing garlic gets out all the tension, and I love to entertain my friends from the kitchen. Simple comfort food during the week, from many dufferent cultures, and more creative things on the weekend. Maybe something new at least one day during the week (or weekend). I grew up in a southern family that was transplanted to New Mexico, so I have a very interesting tradition. Not Southern Mexican, but Mexican/Southern. Posole with black eyed peas added (along with the hominy), southwestern cornbread with cajun dishes and chicken fried steak with chile gravy. It's fun to fuse your food, and my family did it before there was even a "fusion cooking" trend. Helping my friends plan fun, easy to do, successful parties and holiday dinners. Trying new dishes for the first time when I'm trying to impress people with my dinner. A really baaaad idea.