Michelle's helping hand

Introduction: Hi my name is Michelle, Im a single mom whos going through the "empty nest" period of her life, now that my son is in his 3rd year of college down in southern California. so I have decided to fill that emptiness with things i enjoy doing,such as cooking. Making people happy by way of their stomachs always puts a smile on my face!😊 I have no formal culinary training per say, but if growing up in an Italian/Sicilian household isnt in a way some sort of training, i dont know what is!😁As far back as I can remember, i have the fondest memories of my grandma teaching me how to make those special dishes , some very time labored but always worth it in the end! I have been told my entire life by friends and family that i am a great cook , and people have always seemed to enjoy them! I like to cook a variety of different cuisines. Some of my most requested dishes are my sauce( marinara sauce with meatballs and italian sausage. Another signature tasty dish of mine is my grandmother's lemon chicken, yummy and one of my favorites with a robust, tangy lemon sauce that has lots of garlic and freshly dried oregeno not only does it taste good on the chicken, but a loaf of crusty french bread to dunk in the sauce is a must! Other Sicilian dishes i make are Spedini, a flank steak that is breaded an stuffed with sauteed scallion then rolled and put on skewers and cooked under the broiler. Mmmm great on a fall evening. Or maybe its Mexican food you crave? I make a mean chili verde, where i roast my own tomatillos and peppers and bring them them together un a blender with spices and lots of garlic , takes some time to make it , but it is so worth it! I can also make enchiladas or carnitas in the slow cooker made into soft tacos with the shredded pork. I love to cook stir frys as well, with all the beautiful fresh veggies . I love to see the vibrant colors in the wok a substantial meal that is so healthy and good for you . I also make a delicious won ton soup that i make from scratch . i worked as a waitress in a chinese restaurant for years and we had to make hundreds of won tons a day for soup so i can make a mean dumpling ! Speaking of soup, Id say it is one of my favorite things to make. 1 because thete are literally hundreds of different kinds of soup to experiment with from all different cultures, 2 soups are usually fairly healthy and full of great fresh veggies and 3 its a great way to use your leftover meats. i hate reheating meats that have been cooked already be cause they tend to dry out, but if you throw it in a Stock pot with a rich broth some veggies and a grain viola the perfect balanced meal. Another plus for making soup is most of them freeze really well, so you are making meals for several days in one shot for a minimal cost. Some of the soups i make are... traditional chicken soup that i tweek to be different each time. I might make it with noodles or orzo one time , and the next time skip the noodles and use brown or wild rice or barley. I also make Italian wedding soup, beef and barley soup, potato soup or potato and cheese. one of my favorites that i like to make is Greek lemon rice soup. i do a cream of cauliflower and a butternut squash soup as well . The possibilities are endless. My next adventure I am going to try my hand at is making a simple creamy tomato soup. Besides all of what i mentioned here, i can do your traditional type meals as well like meatloaf with mashed potatoes or pot roast or pork roast with pan seared gravy. I love to experiment in the kitchen. I dont follow traditiinal "recipes" i like to get ideas from them then make them my own. i use quality fresh ingredients in the meals I make but even more important, everything i make, I make with love and in my opinion thats the most important ingredient of all. I do not cook any type of seafood at al. i wouldnt even know where to begin in regards to cooking it.i have never been a fan of fish or crustaceans6 in any shape or form.