dedication

This book is dedicated to my family, who are encouraging, supportive and discerning taste-testers. I love cooking for them. At first it was just my husband Dean and me at the dinner table, a nuclear family of two. I thank him for putting up with my food, both good and not so good, with constructive criticism. And I thank him for serving as my editor.

Then my children, Anne and Claire, arrived and my nuclear family became four. The children had (and still have) adventurous appetites and were willing to try anything, also giving me constuctive criticism along the way.

They left our home for their own homes, returning, of course, for Sunday night dinners. They eventually brought with them my charming sons-in-law, Jason and Jeff, with their robust appetites. They try all of my food even if they're not sure if they'll like it, and they always have great menu requests for their special birthday dinners. So, my nuclear family grew to six, but not for long.

Soon the grandchildren came along. I was happy to see that from a very young age Caroline, Charlie and Sybbie all enjoyed the same food that I prepared for their parents. It will be interesting to see how their tastes evolve.

My family has inspired this project, and I am thrilled to pass down the recipes to them.