I'm a student, mom, and employee, so it's very important that I have recipes that are quick and easy, without sacrificing taste. I've learned to convert almost any meal to a crock pot, but I love being able to take my time to prepare more elaborate meals. I also love grilling over charcoal and cedar, and making recipes up as I go. Italian and Mexican food; baked sweets, especially those with chocolate; and anything where I have room to experiment! Every year at Christmastime, my dad makes these cookies with peanut butter sandwiched between two Ritz crackers dipped in white chocolate. It's the only way I like white chocolate! My family is Italian, so we make sauces and pasta by hand, including ravioli. I inherited my love of experimenting with food from my Opa, who was always up for something new. Every year for his birthday, my husband's mom used to make him a three-layer cake with raspberry custard in between the layers. It's ridiculously elaborate, because the cake, custard, and whipped cream used to frost it are all made from scratch. You have to cut the cakes just perfectly, and you have to spread the custard just perfectly, otherwise the whole thing topples over! After five years of being together, I've finally gotten it right! My mother-in-law is a great cook, and to see my husband enjoy my cake as much as he does makes me feel great, even after a few hours of baking!