For many of us, cooking is about finding a great recipe and making it. Sounds logical, right? But what if you don’t have all the right ingredients, or you have leftovers that you hate to see go to waste? This week we’re sharing our favorite tips & tricks for cooking off the cuff. That is, cooking with the ingredients you already have. Sounds a lot better than going to the grocery store, right?
Step 1) What’s my starting point?
If you’re starting with a leftover, how can you change it? Do you need to stretch it? Can you separate it out into different parts? Your starting point might be a produce drawer full of goodies from the farmer’s market, or those roasted vegetables you cooked two nights ago that are waiting to be eaten. Anything that’s calling to be eaten.
Step 2) What am I in the mood for?
Am I craving Asian? Italian? Carbs? Veggies? A soup? Build meals that speak to you right now.
Step 3) What do I have to work with?
Hopefully a mix of staples and exotics. Look in the back of your pantry, the refrigerator and freezer for veggies, bulk items, curry pastes, pickles, anything that could add to a meal.
Step 4) What does it need?
Is it bulky enough? Does it need a vegetable? A sauce? An element of fun? Sometimes all of these things, sometimes just one.
Step 5) What kind of cooking am I in the mood for?
Get ideas from what kind of energy you have and how much time you’ve got until dinner. In a hurry? Think about sautéing. Feeling lazy, but have some time? Bake and forget it. Want to eat RIGHT NOW? Do you have anything you can assemble and eat cold? Sometimes starting with your cooking mood can give you inspiration.
Step 6) Create and play!
Once you’ve got a direction, start mixing and matching. The key is to taste and adjust as you go. Olives not adding enough oomph? Try adding some capers. Tortillas not what you thought? How about some bread, instead. No matter how good your plan, you’ll need to adjust as you go. Embrace it as part of the fun.
Inspired? Let us know what you create!
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