My family is Italian and have had a long history of cookery. It was rumored that my grandmother came to this country with Mama Leone and shared cooking ideas (rumor only). My grandmother was known for not owning a can opener, she cooked everything fresh. I love Asian food - but will work ad hoc with anything. I especially like cooking fish because I don't (nor have ever) eaten it and it's always a challenge to create something that you have no idea of the taste. Lasagna, stuffed pasta, italian chili, red eye gravy I love making a fusion of italian and asian stir fry. Also a chili pie that always seems to please. My first turkey - I defrosted it for 6 days and wound up with something very rotten.