ABOUT THIS COOK:

I'm a mom, I married a picky eater, and I'm cooking my way around the world. I started cooking one meal for every country in the world because I wanted better for myself, my family, and the world. I get to keep learning, my family gets to try new food, and the web site encourages global understanding and respect. I believe that we create peace when we learn about each other, when we *understand* one another. My daughter samples food from every country (she was 7 months when I started). My husband does too, although we often butt heads because of his picky tendencies. It is all in good fun, though and the more he tries, however, the more he learns to love and appreciate all the good food the world has to offer. The entire project will take about 4 years.

• What is the strangest food you have ever eaten?
  Babenda, an African dish made with fermented locust beans, spinach, dried anchovies, and rice. You can find the recipe on my web site.

• What do you cook when home alone?
  I'm a snacker, so anything in the fridge or pantry is fair game. I do love a tomato, straight from the garden, eaten like an apple, with nothing more than a bit of salt.

• Your most treasured kitchen possession:
  Chef's knife

• The ideal number of guests for a dinner party is:
  2-4