Sometimes I like to just make a one-skillet meal (preferably out of a box or freezer bag). But other times it's so nice to have every burner going, the oven on, and rushing around making sure everything gets done at the same time. I love trying new recipes. I really don't like the precision involved in baking, though. I love making pernil for the holidays (a Puerto Rican Pork Shoulder that goes in the oven for hours upon hours and just falls off the bone when it's done). When I try out new dishes my husband (aka my guinea pig) gives me the thumbs up or down and over the past 2.5 yrs of our marriage, we've been slowly creating our own family cooking traditions. It's lots of fun! I once made a 3 course meal. If anything, I usually manage 2 courses (entree and dessert- with the dessert usually being something packaged). But it was a special occasion and we were moving and needed to get rid of our food anyway so I ended up making spicy shrimp cups as an appetizer, ginger glazed chicken over teriyaki rice, and sugared won ton wrappers with berries and a whipped cream topping. Thanksgiving dinners (with turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes and/or sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, corn, and stuffing) is always a feat too. A recent surf and turf meal that my husband and I made together as a date was incredibly delicious and one of my favorite memories of cooking. I tried making the fancy Brie Pecan Chicken Rollups with Raspberry sauce. I remembered to pound my chicken thin, but forgot on my husband's piece. I cooked them separately for the same time. Mine came out nicely done.... But my husband's was raw. But we didn't know that until he had already put it in his mouth. Quite embarrassing.