Is this a common thing to have in your home? Of course, I have browsed through online recipes for ideas but I can't think of one time when i actually followed one. I use my measuring spoons as melon ballers and my measuring cups are, actually, I don't think I have measuring cups.
I had some sweet potato puree at a friends house and asked his wife what she put in it and she said she'll make me a copy of the recipe. I was shocked. There were only 6 things in it which I wound up guessing anyway.
I tried typing out my chili recipe before but I have no clue how much of anything or in what order I put anything in. Maybe learning to cook with my italian grandmother got me acting this way but I don't even taste anything before I serve it. As I put each ingredient in, I already know exactly how it tastes.
I'm not trying to put anyone down that uses a recipe, I'm just a little dumbfounded by it. Is it really necessary or are you just worried that it won't come out good with exact directions?
Jen
09-16-2009, 08:03 PM
yes recipes are quite normal. not everyone can just make it up along the way lol
Toni Bunz
09-17-2009, 07:51 AM
My mom doesn't follow one recipe. when I ask her how to make something she says "a little bit of this. a little bit of that" :chuckle
genie
09-17-2009, 08:02 AM
I have my grandmothers old recipe box. Half the recipes are so old you can barely read them anymore. I usually just follow it as a guidelines but will add more of this or that depending on my taste.
Mike D
09-17-2009, 10:54 AM
Is this a common thing to have in your home? Of course, I have browsed through online recipes for ideas but I can't think of one time when i actually followed one. I use my measuring spoons as melon ballers and my measuring cups are, actually, I don't think I have measuring cups.
I had some sweet potato puree at a friends house and asked his wife what she put in it and she said she'll make me a copy of the recipe. I was shocked. There were only 6 things in it which I wound up guessing anyway.
I tried typing out my chili recipe before but I have no clue how much of anything or in what order I put anything in. Maybe learning to cook with my italian grandmother got me acting this way but I don't even taste anything before I serve it. As I put each ingredient in, I already know exactly how it tastes.
I'm not trying to put anyone down that uses a recipe, I'm just a little dumbfounded by it. Is it really necessary or are you just worried that it won't come out good with exact directions?
I bet you LOVE the George Forman Grill
ShaE
09-17-2009, 10:58 AM
well if you're familiar w/ the dish and the ingredients, it makes sense that you wouldn't need exact directions. but if you aren't, like with your friend's wife's puree, they might come in handy.
once you have a handle on what goes into it, and what the ingredients taste like, you can mix & match how you like, that's what I do.
when i'm making something for the first time, I definitely wouldn't want to play it by ear.
Jen
09-17-2009, 11:37 AM
I bet you LOVE the George Forman Grill
hey i like the GF grill :chuckle
but I haz this one
just jess
09-17-2009, 12:00 PM
i LOVE cookbooks, unfortunately i never really make any recipes from them lol...usually just use them for inspiration and to get ideas
even if i do make a recipe i always give it my own twist
for day to day cooking i never use recipes and i usually get pretty inventive on my own and whip up whatever comes to mind, or try to reiplicate dishes ive had out on the fly..
if i see a really amazing recipe is usually the only time i use them usually during the holidays :agree
chrisd1163
09-17-2009, 12:28 PM
i LOVE cookbooks, unfortunately i never really make any recipes from them lol...usually just use them for inspiration and to get ideas
even if i do make a recipe i always give it my own twist
for day to day cooking i never use recipes and i usually get pretty inventive on my own and whip up whatever comes to mind, or try to reiplicate dishes ive had out on the fly..
if i see a really amazing recipe is usually the only time i use them usually during the holidays :agree
That's kind of what brought on this thread. I have 3 cookbooks in my kitchen that I received as presents throughout the years and I have never made one thing out of it by recipe. I skimmed through them when I got them and it def gave me some ideas but the thought of actually using it never crossed my mind.
I agree with trying to replicate dishes you've had elsewhere. I'm scared if I start following recipes, cooking won't be fun anymore. Then it will just seem like another chore. Seems petty, but I love to cook so much that if I began to dislike it, I would be really upset.
chrisd1163
09-17-2009, 12:28 PM
I bet you LOVE the George Forman Grill
I don't get it
Toni Bunz
09-17-2009, 01:16 PM
I collect cookbooks lol I think out of all 10+ I have made maybe 3 things out of them
MichelleT
09-17-2009, 01:54 PM
My parents never really cooked for me as a kid.. I started off using recipes and I still do from time to time.. but there are a few dishes I just know how to make without reading a recipe.. and I usually never follow seasoning amounts.. I always season to taste.
Mike D
09-17-2009, 02:32 PM
just curious Chris but what types of dishes do you like to make? what do you do if you're ever in the mood for something different that you have never cooked before...do you just wing it?
i3ei3eLiss
09-18-2009, 09:44 AM
I only use recipes for ideas & then I'll add my own ingredients to whatever dish I'm making.
chrisd1163
09-18-2009, 01:19 PM
just curious Chris but what types of dishes do you like to make? what do you do if you're ever in the mood for something different that you have never cooked before...do you just wing it?
Yes, I wing it. Most of the items I cook were inspired by dishes I've had elsewhere. I cook just about everything but put my own flair on it. The past year or so, many things I cook have been fairly simple since I'm trying to keep it healthy. For example, today for lunch I made a pan seared filet mignon with toasted goat cheese over a musculin salad with a reduced balsamic syrup. Very quick and simple. For dinner, I'm making this again.....
tilapia rubbed with dijon mustard and dredged in a combo of whole wheat panko and sliced almonds with baby corn and cherry tomatoes and I'll pair it with a warm chick pea puree and maybe a cucumber, tomato and red onion salad with red wine vinegar (no lettuce). Again, very quick and simple.