Whether you call it “stuffin” or “dressin” is really a matter of where you live;  it’s a regional thing.

Those who live in the south are more apt to call it dressing, while everyone else calls it “stuffin” or if you must “stuffing” and for those outside the south who call it dressing.

You know you can’t cook when…

• The last time you tried to boil water the fire detector went off
• Your homemade biscuits are used as a teething toy for the puppy
• The trash can refuses to accept your leftovers

One of the easiest things a new cook can prepare for dinner is meat loaf. It’s made of ground meat formed into a loaf shape and baked. The loaf shape is formed by either cooking it in a loaf pan, or forming it by hand on a flat baking pan. It is best if made with equal portions of ground beef and pork, although equal parts of beef, pork and veal are also used.

If there is one thing every new cook needs to learn and understand is that you must, absolutely must season your food. Learning to properly season and salt food is the key to becoming an excellent cook. No one wants to taste boring, bland food. Look, we are all aware that too much salt is not good, but no salt at all can not only kill the culinary mood but completely insult the taste buds.

If you have never cooked with garlic, the first rule of thumb is step lightly. There are various types of garlic and garlic seasonings to use. One of the best ways to learn about garlic is to add it to a few of your favorite dishes, remembering that garlic is often used in mild flavored dishes i.e. pasta, fowl, meat, fish, rice and green leafy vegetable dishes along with some vegetables and starch veggies like potatoes, eggplant,  and many dishes where onions are predominate.