After too many years of fish sticks & tater tots, pizza & macaroni from a box: I met a man who would forever change my life, from the kitchen to the lake and on the shore... My best friend & boyfriend has taught me how the good things in life are often generated in the kitchen. Only a few short years later, I LOVE cooking and I find myself cooking to create, rather than just to eat. I often find myself cooking to relax. I sometimes get up early to prepare the days' lunches on the stove, put something in the crock pot and call the troops down for a hot breakfast before heading to work. I'll usually have a smile on my face when I arrive at the office after having pulled it all off.... something about cooking! One is an easy favorite that always make a hit. Pork morsels sautéed in garlic, shallot & white wine. Combined with a relish of fresh garlic, fresh basil, diced tomatoes and a hints of fresh jalapeño & red onion. Toss with olive oil, freshly cooked rotini & cracked back pepper. Heavy dusting of shredded mozzarella required... I love my mothers' mother's lamb stew. I have found a very similar recipe here. It's such a comforting dish when it's cold outside. Just the smell, reminds me of being 10. Pulling off a delicious dutch oven dinner for 6, lakeside. My first attempt at cooking for the "public". Chicken breasts, garlic & basil over wide egg noodles. Hearty and perfectly seasoned after a long days' canoe... Lots can go here. I am not so good with bread. Pasta from scratch can be tricky, too. The disasters I can think of all revolve around incorrect measurements/ratios or over/under cooking..... I have been very lucky that there aren't too many that I am remembering immediately.