by Jeannette Rodgers

Created on: October 29, 2009

Cooking is simply developing edible artwork at its best. The presentation on the plate, the beauty of the dish, the aroma in the air, the tastes of goodness in the food and the love and time placed into the dish create a masterpiece to enjoy that ignites the senses with pure jubilation. It is a wonderful experience when I share my edible artwork created by my hands and heart with others.

Cooking is one of my passions and truly the expression of myself and love to others. Cooking for me is pure joy. I paint a dish with basil oil for the grilled chicken as if I were painting artwork on a canvas. I simply delight in expressing myself through breakfast, lunch, appetizers, dinner and dessert. It is the most gratifying and rewarding experience one can have in the kitchen. Love and passion are the main ingredients in all of my dishes.

There are times I will cook, taste and serve others and truly just enjoy watching others partake in the meal that I have prepared. Preparing a list of ingredients for a recipe, cutting my vegetables just so, simmering soup on the stove, getting my garnish prepared, and serving the prepared dish is simply bliss for me. Putting it all together as if it were my piece of art that I hand painted is how I see cooking.

Cooking can be and is for me; quite therapeutic as well. It takes focus, attention and time. There are the ingredients that require measuring, the vegetables that require precise cutting, and the stew that requires that detailed attention so that the meat and vegetables don't stick to the bottom of the pot. It is instinct to love and nurture the dish I am preparing. Nothing else matters when I am the kitchen, at the stove; cooking.

There is the day that I will make fresh homemade spaghetti sauce. How I love this day since I will prepare the day before with my ingredients and spend the afternoon nursing my sauce, making the meatballs and stirring occasionally watching for thickness consistency and the correct simmering temperature. The aromas of the fresh tomatoes, the fresh basil, garlic and culmination of spices simply fill the air with goodness.

Those around me know I always have leftovers on hand, something on the stove, and a cake on standby. I am known for sharing my dishes with neighbors and over-cooking so that I can have enough for that unexpected guest.

Although I am simply a home cook; I have won a recipe contest that was published; and have also auditioned for the Next Food Network Star. Yes, my favorite shows

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