Alan in SW Florida

about me

I recently celebrated my 13th anniversary living in SW Florida. I moved here from Massachusetts, just north of Boston. As much as I miss family back home, I truly love living here - the beaches, the tropical beauty, the people, and the weather (except the hurricanes!). Everyday is just "another day in Paradise."
I work at the new international airport here in Fort Myers. I have an opportunity to meet many different and interesting people from around the world.
I've had an interest in cooking since I was a little boy, following my grandmother around the kitchen. Since I wasn't blessed with any artistic or musical talent, I think cooking was my way of being creative.
My passion is my family and friends. My second passion is cooking for them. My favorite way to entertain is informally...brunches, cookouts, and small dinner parties. Just relaxing, enjoying each other's company, some good food and drink, and a little fun are the only "rules of the house."

Favorite Foods:

I love comfort foods. And I don't mean just old-fashioned American dishes, but also the recipes a Lebanese mother or an Italian or Jewish grandmother would make at a particularly happy time (engagements, birth announcements, ect.) or sad times (bereavement or sickness.) These are just a few examples. The foods that make you think of simpler times are what I think of as comfort foods.
If I had to choose some favorite foods, they would be...pasta, fresh bread and sweet cream butter, and chocolate. Pretty basic, pretty boring, wouldn't you say?
If you glance through my recipes, you'll notice that, for the most part, they have one thing in common...they're easy to make. I don't like making anything that involves a major production. That takes the enjoyment out of cooking and makes it more of a chore, at least for me. That's why you won't find many gourmet recipes in my repertoire.
I've enjoyed being a member of the Recipezaar community. If you enjoy only one of my recipes, I'll be happy. I'm looking forward to hearing from all of you.
Happy Cooking!!! Al

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