In my first column, I 'talked' about what we will 'talk' about in future columns; but now, I think I should tell you a bit about this Wacky Cook, who is trying to write this Wacky Column, and tell you more about who I am, and what we will do together.

I am not a chef and not even a 'cook'; I love good food and I love to cook and feed people, but I hate to waste time in the kitchen; so I have adopted quite a few recipes which are very good and very easy to make; most of them you can make ahead of time.

I am also a Kosher cook; you may know that in a Kosher kitchen there are two sets of everything, and you do not mix one with the other. EVER!

Years ago, I decided on a dairy Pesach, which meant that I have only one set of dishes for seven days; it¼s the only joy I look forward to all year in my kitchen. Other then that, I think that the kitchen for Pesach was created by a Jewish misogynist, with a large male following, and I know exactly what I would like to do to all of them! But, being a lady, I shall keep it to myself...

I must also tell you that I live in Israel, and have been here for 42 years; we now have everything here, absolutely nothing is missing; it was a bit different when we arrived, but now if we do not make it ourselves, here in the country (which we try to do and are sometimes better at it then others) we import it from all over the world. So, things may be a bit different here; I will try to make things clear, but if I use something 'strange' and do not give you an equivalent, AND you do not know what I am talking about, please tell me so and I will clarify!

There is also the 'problem' of diets; I don't know about you, but, "WE" no longer can eat everything; the 'Golden-Age' has struck! And, as I have been on a diet since the age of twelve, (I discovered food at that time, and blew up into a round, not very charming, ball!) you will find most of my cooking with as little fat as possible; if I use fat its only good olive oil, lots of fresh veggies and fruit, and mostly chicken and fish.

Summer in Israel lasts for six months and its rather hot; so we try to eat lightly and well; its cold soups and salads, or hot pies like tuna, mushroom, leeks, fresh fruit for desert, or home made ice cream which I make out of the 'Parve' cream, so it also cuts down on calories, one hope!

BUT: when on a cold night your 'kishkies' are frozen and are yearning for a hot soup, we will have great soups, among them a great goulash soup which you will be able to make because weeks ago you made goulash! It really will becomes elementary to you, I promise! You will make and serve this wonderful soup with crispy bread, a green salad and fruit; a perfect meal alone or with good friends! As long as you remember the good red wine, which you will keep on pouring all evening...

We will learn to 'do' a Chollent; here in this country of heat, we do not do it in the summer... Don't be silly! But in the winter it's a very welcome 'specialty' to serve to friends who will gather around this huge pot and feel great, sharing not only a great dish but a tradition going back generations!

SO: we are going to go into all that and much, much more. In these columns, the meals will be quick and easy; they will be for people who think that they do not know how to cook. This is rubbish! If you know how to read, you know how to cook! It¼s really a mental state and you will get over it!

The freezer will become your best friend, as it is mine; I will tell you what to keep in it and wha to do with it when the time comes; it will make life easy for you to entertain as many people as you like (or don't like)! If you really have to entertain somebody you do not like, why bother cooking?!... Tell them your stove conked-out and take them out to an ethnic place they will love and talk about it for weeks!

I hope eventually we will cook together and have a dialogue going, which will be great fun for you (and me)!