re: What's the one item of food that you struggle cooking?

Rice is easy if you have a heavy, smallish pot (2 qt saucepan w/tight fitting lid n heavy bottom is perfect for cooking 1 cup at a time). 1 part rice: 1.5 parts water, 1/4 tsp salt, bring rice & water to a boil, clap on the lid, reduce heat to as low as your stove will go. 20 minutes, fluff w/a fork, turn off heat and let it stand for 2-3 mins for max fluffiness.

I can't make decent caramel frosting...the cooked kind like your grammaw used to make. Every-damn-time I try it, it seizes up in the pot, or it hardens atop the cake in a big glob before it can be spread, etc.