I like almonds as a snack - keeps your energy up but doesn't fill you up.

Every once in a while, a cookbook comes along that simply knocks me out.

You don't have to do everything from scratch. Nobody wants to make puff pastry!

Instead of going out to dinner, buy good food. Cooking at home shows such affection. In a bad economy, it's more important to make yourself feel good.

My favorite fall or winter lunch is big steaming bowls of soup. I usually invite people for around 12:30 and have two hearty soups like shrimp corn chowder and lentil sausage soup, which can be made a day or two ahead.

I've taught myself how to use good, fresh ingredients and to prepare them as simply as possible by cooking only to enhance their intrinsic flavors.

Food is not about impressing people. It's about making them feel comfortable.