I've always loved to cook, and have usually had my family's kitchen at my disposal. As I transition to the "real world," however, I don't have every kind of pot, pan, or ingredient around. My dinner plans change daily, so I can't count on using zucchini before it withers and dies. The upside of my situation is that I've become a more creative chef, learning to make the most out of whatever's around the apartment. My lesson: cheap and simple can be very tasty! Creme brulee, brownies, new twists on pastas and salads My grandma is my culinary role model. She produced a great picnic spread every Memorial Day, and the key to her success was that she didn't give a damn that hot dogs and eggplant parmigiano aren't usually served side-by-side. She simply cooked what she loved. Mastering the basic recipe for creme brulee in The New Joy of Cooking. Sauces simply do not thicken under my command.