Cooking is more than just following a recipe – it’s a process of trial and error, tooling and retooling, experimenting and substituting. It’s taking a list of steps and modifying them to favor your taste or the freshest of ingredients in front of you.  Over the years, as I’ve amassed a collection of recipes that I’ve written, I’ve also collected many (many, many, many) Cooking Tips and Tricks that I draw upon day in and day out. These are just as important as the recipes themselves, and are a huge part of that which keeps me in the kitchen.  Some of these tips come from dear friends with whom I’ve had the pleasure of cooking and dining with.  Other tips have been passed down over the years through the family – I carry these techniques along with me as I do my culture and heritage as they are one in the same.  It’s just a boon (no lie!) to have the chance to share them with you, dear reader.  In addition, while this site is comprised of recipes that I’ve written, occasionally I will feature a recipe that I’ve tried and loved, either passed to me from a friend or friends once-or-twice removed, that you should absolutely, positively go out and try.  Sharing means caring, and if I like something, you better bet your butt I’m gonna tell the world.  Cheers and here’s to your being ever so inspired.