Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

My first cookbook was The Joy of Cooking. My mother gave it to me when I left for college. I honestly don't think I ever used it.

IL (homestate) = corn, and Portillo's Italian beef sandwiches
CA (current state) = fish tacos, avocados

Cracker w/goat cheese and fig jam.

My grandparents used to go to a Czech bakery and get "salty horns". I don't know what they're called in Czech, and I haven't had one in about 20 years, but I'm tasting one right now in my mind. Flaky, salty, crunchy, soft, buttery. Dammit. I want one so bad.

The first time I had Indian food was in Seattle, and it completely supplanted everything else that I thought was my favorite.

I made a white chocolate raspberry cheesecake for my daughter's birthday - all the ingredients cost $40!, but it turned out perfect.

lemons, simple syrup, water. plus vodka if I feel in the need of an adult beverage.

Favorite pancake dish? Just plain old pancakes with butter and syrup for me, please.

I'd like a crabby patty, please.

Peach cobbler!

I've got 2 fig trees and a peach tree that produce way more fruit than we can possibly use before it goes bad. Have always wanted to preserve the fruit, but have always been too scared to try.

I marinated some cubed lamb shoulder, and skewered it with veggies. Grilled, served with rice and salad. Simple, but everybody raved!