| I was once one of those people that always used | | | | other ingredients as well). This is one of the easiest |
| recipes. I was afraid to venture away from those | | | | things to do. If you don't like onions and the recipe calls |
| wonderful cards and comforting pieces of paper with | | | | for them, take them out. If the recipe calls for corn and |
| amounts, ingredients, and instructions. I thought I needed | | | | you like peas, try substituting. If what you're making |
| to be told exactly how to make something; I wouldn't | | | | might be tastier with some broccoli, throw it in. |
| increase, decrease, or substitute anything. | | | | - Know what you like. This may seem simple, but |
| After awhile, I became tired of the confinement from | | | | know what you like. If you're constantly coming across |
| those 4x6 cards. I began venturing into a new world - | | | | a flavor that appeals to you, be able to figure out what |
| a world without recipes. I started by substituting | | | | that flavor is. One of the best tricks I have learned is |
| ingredients, one vegetable for another. Then I started | | | | the ability to taste something and tell what spices are |
| adding spices. Now, I view myself as a full-blown | | | | in it. To do this, see the next tip. |
| "cook"; I have no problem making dinner without a | | | | - Use your nose. As humans we often neglect our |
| recipe. Gaining this culinary freedom can be done step | | | | sense of smell, which can be so helpful when cooking. |
| by step. | | | | Often if the dish I'm preparing 'needs something', I open |
| Start by viewing cooking as two things - a hobby and | | | | my spice cupboard and start sniffing. The smells of |
| a science experiment. Like with any hobby, the first | | | | spices go together, so trust your sense of smell and |
| few times you complete a project it may not turn out | | | | you'll come across what you need. |
| exactly how you expected, but you keep trying until it | | | | - Know your spices. In science, you often gather |
| does. In science, you create a hypothesis, test the | | | | information and conduct research. Do the same with |
| hypothesis by doing the experiment, and then observe | | | | your spices - know which spices often go together |
| what happens and come to a conclusion. If your | | | | and what types of cuisine use which spices. |
| conclusion leads you to another hypothesis, you try it | | | | - Get creative. Much like other hobbies, creativity is the |
| again. | | | | key. Don't be afraid to get creative in your cooking |
| Cooking should be viewed the same way. Throw the | | | | either. My sister-n-law roasts squash with cinnamon |
| ingredients together, taste the result, and decide how it | | | | and chili powder. I wouldn't have thought to put those |
| is. Like a hobby, if it doesn't work the first time, try | | | | two spices together, but the outcome was delicious. |
| again. I often make meals and critique afterwards, | | | | - Trust yourself. The more you do this, the better you'll |
| asking myself, "What flavors are missing? Is the | | | | get. In the meantime, have some frozen pizzas and |
| consistency right? What things would I add or remove | | | | sandwich makings on hand just in case. |
| next time to make it taste better?" | | | | Be confident! Cooking without recipes or even using |
| Granted, if you always use recipes venturing into the | | | | recipes as guidelines rather than strict instructions can |
| unknown world of cooking without them can be | | | | open you up to a wonderful world of culinary freedom. |
| intimidating. Below I've listed a few suggestions for | | | | You will soon find that you can create tastier meals |
| 'baby steps' toward cooking on your own. | | | | step by step. |
| - Substitute, add, or remove vegetables (and eventually | | | | |