Yes, Chef! A Photo Gallery of My Favorite Home-Cooked Meals

Food.

(scene from the movie Twister - one of the best movies ever, IYKYK)

Sure, we have to ingest food for energy as humans and to some people, that's all it is, but to me, it is nurture, creativity, a way of showing love or having communion with loved ones, friends, or even strangers.

I grew up in a household where family congregated in the kitchen at the end of the day, it was the place where we chatted about our days and where dinner was prepared (obviously). My dad and stepmom always made gourmet meals, nightly, to the point where when only my brother lived with them full time (for a short stint), he told them one night that they don't have to cook that way just because he is there. My stepmom's response, "we cook this way when you aren't here!" They love food and cooking, new and tried/true recipes. My stepmom would make pastas, stuffed peppers, fresh salads, crisp veggies... while my dad would grill/smoke/rotisserie/roast carne asada, tri-tip, sausages, ribs, prime rib... so many great meals that I can't even recall them, I can only recall the feeling that was associated with mouth-joy and togetherness as we enjoyed them.

When we weren't in the kitchen or at the table, we'd watch cooking shows like Emeril or Iron Chef. I was inspired, to say the least.

When I turned 20, I started cooking for myself in my mom's kitchen and it was wonderfully exciting! It was a way to let my creativity out while also filling our (mine and my then boyfriend's - now husband's) tummies. The kitchen was my canvas and I loved painting! I made a recipe for Engagement Chicken, which involved cooking a chicken whole, in an attempt to impress my boyfriend - we did get married eventually, so I guess it worked?

I even tried my hand at Julia Child's Bœuf Bourgignon, it was delightfully yummy!

When I got married and moved into my own house, it was GAME ON. Over the years I amassed ALL the cooking equipment: cast iron, enamel coated cast iron (pots, pans, braisers), stainless steel cookware, non-stick cookware, Crock-Pot, Instant Pot, Sous Vide, rotisserie, air fryer, blenders, processors, and curated set of good quality knives. It has become a joke that when a birthday or holiday rolls around, I will surely ask for something kitchen/food related, much to my husbands dismay (we have a small kitchen and limited storage space).

All the equipment led to some pretty delicious meals, if I do say so myself!

Here are some of my favorite home-cooked meals that will hopefully inspire you to start/continue cooking:

In the Yes, Chef! series, I'd love to share some of my favorite recipes, cookbooks, cooking shows, books about chefs, equipment, etc.

LESSON(S) LEARNED:

• Don't cry over spilled milk.

Literally and figuratively, not pictured above are all the meals that I spent hours preparing only to taste them and be disappointed or that I served to my husband only to be met with a scoring of, "that was OK."

What is your favorite home-cooked meal?