The goal with this segment (which will be ongoing) is to share with the reader my experience as I struggle my way through the learning process. Alongside my lovely fiance (and cooking coach and photographer), I'm hoping to gradually develop basic cooking skills through the preparation of various dishes. We're starting out with some relatively easy stuff recipes that we have adapted and made our own. Eventually, we hope to slowly increase the degree of difficulty as I build my skill set.

It's not all going to be roses; expect some significant mistakes to be made. My guide will keep me from breaking stuff or setting things on fire, but as far as making food that actually tastes good? Who can say? There's going to be a learning curve probably a steep one.

Join me on this culinary cruise. We'll have recipes and pictures and a few thoughts on each cooking experience. Maybe some other stuff, too.

And if I burn down the kitchen, so be it.