I grew up watching my Mom & Grandma cook and bake, as well as, cook many ethnic dishes. We have a Polish background and still have pierogis every Christmas Eve. I love reading cookbooks. I really try and make and bake simple recipes with great ingredients. This always wins everyone over and is less work. You don't have to be a gourmet cook to impress your family & freinds. I used to love to watch my Grandmother make pies and bread. Since I'm really not good with dough, I'm impressed by the skills of others. My grandson is a very picky eater, when he requests my spaghetti & meatballs I feel really good about my cooking. The one great recipe that everyone requests are my meatballs - Three ingredients, Frozen meatballs, Heinz Chili Sauce & Grape Jam, in the crockpot. My girlfriend suggested this recipe and I bring them to every party! I also get great reviews when I bring the Earthquake Cake and Orange Cake, recipes I've gotten from this website! I'm terrible with any kind of dough that has to be kneaded or shaped, pie crusts, sugar cookies. I let the dough overpower me instead of the other way around.