Please share! I never cook pork. I'm on a steady chicken/beef/chicken/seafood rotation. That's probably part of the problem. I haven't wanted to eat beef since I saw that video Monday morning on CNN, and Shrimper's is closed for the season. It's basically been chicken overkill.
OH! NO! No, not my mother! My mother can make fried chicken, potato salad, and dressing on Thanksgiving. That's it.
When I was about 5 or 6, I went to spend the night with my friend Nerissa. Her mother served this fabulous meal with the most delicious green things. I asked my mother to please cook some "little trees" for me afterward. You know -- green things, shaped like trees, with green soft trunks instead of hard brown ones. Finally, my mom called Nerissa's (they family was from Australia) to see what exotic vegetable I'd been fed -- broccoli. My mother's profound embarrassment led to my realization that I was being gastromonically abused. Apparently, there were foods beyond Campbell's Chicken Noodle, Spaghetti-O's, grilled cheese sandwiches, and English peas!
I began to idolize Nerissa's mother. Her house smelled like gingerbread all winter, and I realized the slice and bake sugar cookies provided in my own home were yet another sign of the marginalization and neglect my mother was perpetrating against me. Nerissa's mom only allowed PBS. Nerissa envied my full access to Eight is Enough, Fantasy Island, Love Boat, and the Incredible Hulk. I asked for a TV in my room for Christmas because the barbarians that were my family refused to watch PBS. Once I had access to PBS, I began a Sunday ritual -- I'd spend the day watching cooking shows.
I learned to cook from Julia Child, Natalie Dupree, and Martha Stewart, from Jacques Pepin, Justin Wilson, and the Frugal Gourmet.
I've been laughing out loud for about 5 minutes after reading Punzy's post. Bless your mom. Broccoli! 
Gives me hope for Sam. She watches cooking shows all the time but I think she loves to eat more than she loves to cook! My mom cooked very basic meals...meatloaf, pork chops, baked chicken, soups, stews etc..all served with a potato and veggie. My dad was very picky...a meat and taters kind of man. My world opened up when I started dating. I had never eaten seafood, chinese, greek or mexican food. I really enjoyed being wined and dined during that part of my life! 
ummmmmmmmm. mashed potatoes with anything and gravy!
