I come from a family of exquisite Hungarian Chefs - My Great Grandmother, Grandmother and Mother. The cooking gene was not passed on (I once screwed up making instant pudding). This is my attempt to eat well, cook well and give my mother something positive to say about my cooking. Italian, Mexican (salsa should be a food group) and anything hearty and homemade (what I grew up on). I'm also trying to expiriment with foodstuffs I didn't grow up with such as salmon. The women in my family are fantastic cooks and I hope to one day live up to the family name. Food is an essential part of life and food is always fresh (never from a box or can or frozen), hearty and very european (goulash anyone?) I, on the other hand am an academic, paying for University and trying to maintain the food traditions while on a budget and time crunch. SURVING A YEAR ON MY OWN WITHOUT STARVING! And my mini blueberry chocolate chip cheesecakes. Instant pudding.