This is a fast and easy guide to making chocolate-chip cookies. Perfect for a bad day, because we all know cookies make everything better.

When I was a little girl, we'd often go visit my Gramma Helen who was, according to family lore, one of the best cooks in the world. She had a plaque in her kitchen that read, "No matter where I serve my guests, they seem to like my kitchen best!" And fruit-shaped magnetic hooks. I loved those things.

I was an incredibly fussy eater who'd complain about anything put in front of me: lettuce was too bitter, hot dogs too salty, mac and cheese too slimy, potatoes too pasty, walnuts too sharp, oatmeal too gooey. But I'd always eat my Gramma's beef stew and zucchini bread, apple pie, date and nut cake, homemade bread, pretty much anything she served. She had the magic touch, that's for sure.

A few years ago when my brother was getting married, I asked relatives for favorite family recipes which I then compiled into a cookbook for the new bride and groom. My cousins sent me some recipes of our grandmother's, one of which is this twist on date and nut bread.

Baked in a tube pan and drizzled with icing, it's perfect to have as an afternoon snack before heading down the hall into the sitting room where the crocheted striped throw-covered davenport sits, to "help" Gramma play Lara's Theme on the electric organ.

Eleven Madison Park Pistachio, Coconut & Cherry Granola is by far the best tasking granola that I've ever had. The recipe is from the Eleven Madison Park restaurant in the city. My hubby introduced it to me and I've been hooked ever since. Enjoy!

My drawing of Butternut Squash Soup Recipe. It tastes spicy and nutty! This recipe was created in the Workshop "Draw Like it's Hot!"

Get rid of those overripe bananas!

This pie is dee-licious..and it's from the best baker I know, my dearest friend Renee, who is known for her amazing baking..from pies, to cakes, to brownies, she can do it all and not only do they look fantastic, but they're the best tasting desserts I've ever had. I had to tell a story with piggies as she used to collect them, to encourage everyone to bake this fresh apple pie and share it with a friend!

Shrimp & Jack Quesadilla Kraft recipe.

When I was little my parents never bought cheese from the supermarket. They either bought it from local producers, or they made it themselves. Many times I got to help them make it.

Very easy and irresistible cake!

This is an authentic recipe for homemade pretzels. They are the best when they are still warm!

A wedding present for my cousin - recipe for easy and tasty shortbread cookies.

This is my mom's recipe for Japanese beer/miso refrigerator pickles.