Honestly, this is exactly what I do.
If you were to track what comes out of my kitchen, the dish I make more than anything else is Roasted Broccoli with Garlic and Parmesan. I make it constantly, almost on autopilot, and I have never written down the recipe. The closest thing on this site to this fool-proof, ridiculously easy broccoli recipe is my Roasted Parmesan Cauliflower – minus the breadcrumbs.
On busy days, when I truly need dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes, I make a noodle dish similar to my quick Sesame Noodles, but I use ramen noodles because they cook much fater than regular pasta. I toss in a handful of vegetables and whatever protein I have on hand, and dinner is done. This family favorite never comes out exactly the same-and somehow, that’s what makes this dish so fun. It is the perfect busy-Tuesday meal!
Adventurous, for you–for us, doesn’t mean elaborate; it means open. Willing to try it, willing to wing it, not especially loyal to the plan.
So maybe being an adventurous cook doesn’t mean spending four hours making something elaborate. Maybe it simply means being curious, trying a new flavor and feeling comfortable changing the plan.
That became even clearer when I asked why you look up recipes. The largest group said you come here simply to browse and find inspiration. You are not always looking for strict instructions. Sometimes you just want an idea that makes you excited to cook. You come here curious. Not under orders. I love that more than I can say.
So here’s what my team and I are doing about it.
We’re going back through the older recipes. Most of you told me you head for the recipe card first when you open a post, so that card needs to look the same every single time and hand you what you need without a scavenger hunt. And since so many of you are improvising anyway, the tips & tricks are getting real: what to do when you’re out of the thing, which swaps actually hold up, what to look for in the pan instead of what minute to set the timer for.
Now I want to know: What is the dish you make constantly but have never bothered to write down? Tell me in the comments. I have a feeling those unwritten recipes may be some of our best.
Happy cooking, Kathy 🍋
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