My mother taught me how to cook at an early age. She was born on an Indian Reservation in Oklahoma, so I learned all the "down home" country cooking, as well as the wonderful ethnic cuisines here in Calif. Asian, Mexican, Italian, etc. I learned early to love artichokes and avocados! My father's parents came from Russia, and Mom learned to fix these dishes too. Mom also taught me beadwork, my life's passion. I love to try new dishes. I am an eclectic cook, and I love everything from comfort food to exotic fare. I love intense flavors-garlic, ginger, mango-but I also love things like chicken pot pie. My family loves peroshkis, home-made bread, roasted chicken, stir fries, BBQ, and one-dish meals. Peroshkis (I'm not sure of the spelling), are little Russian meat pies, are a special treat. I don't make that ofter, as they are rather labor intensive. "oven fried" chicken (I try not to fry stuff very often), green bean cassarole, baked sweet potatoes, beets and turnip greens. all sorts of home-made breads, holiday fare like Pashka and roast turkey, fresh veggies like asparagus, Mexican or Baja fare, Asian dishes. Pot Roasts. Everybody loves my Challah bread, braided and beautiful, and melt in you mouth tasty. Peroshkis can be eaten hot or cold, and are always a big hit. mashed potatoes and home-made gravy, yum! Steamed veggies with a dab of butter, a pinch of sugar (or Splenda) and a pinch of salt. No bake oat cookies arer a big hit with my kids. I once baked a chicken, and my oven had quit partway through, unknown to me. It was golden and crispy on the outside, but NOT DONE inside. It was very sad :( Once in a while, I'll try a new recipe that turn out vile. Not often tho'.