Things I have learned about cooking over the past couple of years

• Simmer tomato sauce for 2 hours. Just do it.
• The importance of quality stock cannot be overestimated.
• Grocery shopping involves a rotation of at least 3 different grocery stores: one for fresh produce, one for stocking up on value purchases, and one for ingredients that can't be found anywhere else.
• One roast chicken goes a really long way.
• When in doubt, fry rice.
• An egg cooker is worth the investment, even a small investment.
• It always pays off to have a variety of frozen vegetables in the freezer.
• Avoid freezing cooked grains.
• An extra large, well-made pan is a delight to one and all.
• So are freshly sharpened knives.
• Trying out authentic recipes from different cultures is refreshing for thought processes.
• Wearing contact lenses is the best protection from onion-caused eye irritation.
• And finally...
• Loving care and attention produces food that sings. Thrown-together food merely quells hunger.