Busy girl in NY who has limited free time, but loves to entertain and cook for others! My favorite recipes are fresh, easy, and beautiful to look at! Presentation is half of cooking as far as I'm concerned. My mother creates the most elegant, beautiful meals for every holiday or occasion -- and makes it look easy! Several dinner parties for lots of friends -- it's always a triumph if people request leftovers to bring home! When I first started learning to cook (as a vegetarian who occasionally cheats), I was so scared of giving my guests food poisoning every time I cooked meat! As a consequence, the chicken and fish that I cooked was always either dried out or charred on the bottom! Fortunately, I bought a meat thermometer, and now everything is moist and delicious!