I love to cook. Like writing, it appeals to my inner need for creativity. Unlike my writing projects, some of which go on for weeks or months, cooking allows me to create something, start to finish, in an afternoon. And more often than not, it’s edible.

Here’s the disclaimer: I always cook with a 3-year-old boy as my assistant. I don’t make fancy recipes with a dozen hard-to-find ingredients. I don’t make anything that requires intensive amounts of attention because I will have to step away from the stove to play Legos or read a book. These recipes aren’t necessarily going to impress your foodie friends, but they might impress your family.