The obligatory introduction

Anyone who knows me (and there aren't many people, because I am shy, but oddly enough I still like most people very much) is aware that my favorite hobby is cooking. I love to cook and I love to eat. I love preparing the food, slicing things up, hovering over it to make sure its just right, and I love serving it up for others to eat. My favorite part is when there's nothing left.

I've accumulated (and invented) a few recipes that I want to share with distant friends and family, since I can't be there to cook for you in person. Most of my recipes are tried and true, and have passed the test of both the salad-loving father and the vegetable-hating brother, and the husband who only wants meat and potatoes. Then there are some that appease the more complex palates of my other brothers - a Thai-food enthusiast, and one who likes to cook for himself and enjoys more sophisticated flavors.

A big adrenaline rush for me is when I have big meal ambitions but only a few ingredients in the kitchen, and I am too stubborn or broke to go get more food. If I can improvise and come up with something amazing with things I just have lying around, then I'm really happy. Most of my recipes are really simple and easy, and won't require long lists of exotic ingredients. And if they do, be assured that it will be well worth it. But for everyday, my goal is to use what's already in the fridge and pantry, provide a lot of nutrients, and satisfy everybody's taste buds. And I'm not one to spend hours in the kitchen, so most of the recipes I like and use regularly are fairly quick.

If you happen to try any of these ideas, and I hope you do, let me know how it came out! Or if you have a similar recipe with a different twist, or just want to suggest one of your favorites, please please comment or email me at astewart1986@gmail.com. Many of my favorites came from or were adapted from recipes that others gave to me and I'm eager to learn more.

SO - super great recipes coming up!