by Cyndi Li

Created on: March 14, 2009   Last Updated: March 17, 2009

What do you get when you mix Martha Stewart and Chef Ramsey together? I'm not sure exactly, but it certainly isn't me. I'm one of those learn-by-your-mistakes sort of self-taught cooks. And, I made plenty of mistakes.

Meatloaf was always a challenge for me. Well, I didn't realize it was a challenge until my little brother brought to my attention that my meatloaves were hard as bricks. Actually, his exact words were, "You could build a brick house with all the meatloaves you've ruined." He's a sweet brother, but his honesty is sometimes hard to swallow. But he was right.

My meatloaf was dry, void of any flavor (except for when you smothered it with ketchup) and no one ever took seconds. Why my husband never informed me just how bad my meatloaf was I'll never know. I can only speculate that he probably wanted to avoid the rather of a young wife who's ego was still quite fragile so early in her marriage. In any event, it wasn't just the meatloaf I had trouble with.

The first time I made lasagna was a complete bust. I had asked a friend how to make it. I followed her instructions to the "T", or at least I thought I had, and I couldn't wait to see the look on my husbands face as he sat down to dinner that evening. Well, his face did speak a thousand words, but not the words I'd anticipated it would. The lasagna was stone cold on the inside! I was so embarrassed, and thought for sure our young marriage wouldn't last long if I didn't learn how to cook; and learn fast. So I called my mom.

Moms always seem to be the best cooks no matter what entre, dessert or appetizer is up for discussion. My mom is no exception. The first order of business was the lasagna. What had I done wrong? Apparently, the instructions my friend gave me were on the money except for one thing. When she said to bake it for 30 minutes at 350 degrees, she meant right after it was prepared. Not knowing this, I had prepared it and then tossed it in the refrigerator. Of course, that made it stone cold all the way through so it required a longer cooking time. Thanks mom. Another mystery solved.

She helped my out with the meatloaf and a ton of other dishes as well. I learned that what was causing most of my failure was my own fear of failure. I had no confidence in my own ability. Realizing this, I began to cook more and more. I followed recipes, and I asked questions when I didn't understand something. But, most of all, I never gave up. When I ruined something I looked at it as a learning experience rather than a defeat.

Today, I quite literally love to cook. It's like an art form. I enjoy putting my own twist on certain dishes, and I've even created a few signature ones of my own. My family goes back for seconds, and my little brother even has a few favorites he's always asking me to rustle up for him.

No, I'm definitely not a Martha or Ramsey, but I am a good cook who can hold her own in a kitchen.

Learn more about this author, Cyndi Li.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.