It's a little routine I have when I start a new job, or move in with new roommates. I wait a week to get to know everyone, and let them know me, so they know I'm not a deranged serial killer (you'll see why this is important in a moment). Then, after about a week, I make some fresh home-made cookies for everyone in the office/apartment/whatever. I feel it really helps break the ice and elevate relationships from aquaintance/guy I live/work with to real friendship. Cooking just seems to do that. Yeah, on the one hand I am bribing friendship out of people in exchange for cookies, but it's better than alternative bribes (ew).
I just feel home-cooking something has a proofound effect both on the cook and cook-ee. I think it's really psychological, and frankly the popularity of home-cooking is growing by the minute. Food Network hosts are celebrities. Who doesn't know who Emeril Lagasse is? Rachel Ray is getting her own day-time talkshow. Paula Deen recently was a supporting actress in a movie. The next wave of big celebrities are all chefs. Speak food to power!
Is there any special meal/dish/snack you like to cook up for others? If so, mail it to me. My address is as follows:
New Mexico.
Thanks.
The only thing I cook is a grilled cheese sandwich... and I haven't done that in ages. To those that haven't figured it out yet, it means that I don't cook/bake at all. ^^;; So, I'm always buying food for people, usually Entenmann's.
But I do agree that home-made just beats store-bought. I love my mom's cakes/brownies, especially her pineapple upside down cake. One of these days I'm going to have her teach me.
DL's Friend Bribing Apple Cake!
Ingredients:
4 cups sugar
4 cups milk
6 eggs
2 cups cyanide
butter
2 cups apple {sliced preferably}
Instructions:
In a large bowl, mix the milk, eggs, butter and cyanide. When the mixture is slightly lumpy, add the sugar and apples. Mix well, not allowing the cyanide to rise up and ncreate a thin film on the top. When the mixture smoothes out a bit, set to the side
Turn on the oven to 450.
Get your cake pan, and pour as much batter as you need until the pan is full. Set in the over-uncovered- for 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Check on it. When you notice that the cake is golden brown and the apples have gained a deep brown color, you can stop cooking it. Remove the cake and frost it with whatever you want.
Take to the office the next day and serve with glee. When the recipients of the cake start choking and gasping for air, as well as a slight discoloration of the skin as they slip into a comatose state, offer them some lemonade that contains amyl nitrate, sodium nitrate and sodium thiosulfate in exchange for a lifetime friendship.
Of course, they'll just think its a dry cake....
Works every time 
Disclaimer: The recipe here has been provided by AN ANONYMOUS SOURCE, who's views are solely the opinion of the person and are not in any reflected by the Mofo. Except for WonderBat, who might actually try this.
