Only twice? You are ahead of the game, IMO. I once made pancakes that looked EXACTLY like chicken breasts....no one would touch them. I threw them out, they BOUNCED off the trash can.

I think a 'secret' to cooking is knowing how to salvage meals. For instance, CB, you coulda added half a jar of store bought to lower the temp....or, a whole jar, and froze the other half for another meal...

I love to cook, and love to experiment. It is such an expression of love/caring...so, like any other time, sometimes, we just miss the mark.

For those afraid to cook....develop 4-5 dishes that you just can't mess up....and leave it at that, or improvise on those....the more you experiment (and bomb) the better you become. AND, if your guest won't eat it? Have the local carryout on speed dial.