I've always enjoyed cooking. I remember I got my first cookbook and my very own child's oven mit when I was 9 and now, years later, I have my very own kitchen filled to the brim with appliances and of course, my very own oven mits. I'm very passionate about cooking and I think this makes up for any shortcomings I have in the kitchen. I also love to experiment and am never afraid to tweak a recipe to meet my tastes. I eat just about anything, so I cook just about anything. However, I would say in general I enjoy making pastas since they're so hearty and filling and warm. I also love making anything that is a challenge or unfamiliar to me. However, I also really enjoy doing appetizers. I love playing around with presentation, so appetizers really give me room to be creative. However, even when no one's over I love to make everything look presentable and use garnishes. Lately I have also become very interested in healthy cooking and have been making an effort to eat home cooked meals as often as possible since it makes it easier to eat right. Watching my grandmother make her beef stew. She's amazing at cooking without a recipe, and yet it tastes complex and perfect every time. It's a very slow cooking recipe so it's truly an all day affair and I've really enjoyed the time I've spent with her in the kitchen just watching and learning. I think everytime I make something new it's a triumph because I'm learning new things and trying new flavors. I try not to think of anything as a cooking tragedy. Cooking is all about learning and not being afraid to try new things and take a risk. Even when something does not turn out quite the way I had hoped it provides a good lesson for next time.