The Unexpected Ingredient in Everyday Cooking

Evolve ||  Process  ||  Time  ||  Mistakes  ||  Lessons Learned  ||  Risk  ||  Creativity 

These words are in my thoughts as I think about my journey in the kitchen since I was a wee one.  My mother and grandmothers both taught me so much about the ways of cooking and usually were not afraid to tell me their thoughts on the proper way to prepare a dish.  In my younger years, I followed a precise recipe or verbal cooking directions from my mother.  In my early married years, I often called my mom to ask "How did you make that?"  As you get more experience under your belt, your confidence rises and you begin experimenting outside the realms of the way it's always been done.  Call me a rebel, but there's something freeing about not following a rule or recipe or expectation just because that's what you should do.  We are, after-all, created uniquely with not one of us being the same. So it would make sense that it's built into our DNA to want to venture outside the parameters of man-made rules.

You're probably wondering what all this has to do with everyday cooking essentials?  An essential to enjoying everyday cooking is to feel the freedom to wander outside the written rules and try new things!  This can be applied to everyday life. Most of the time, there is more than one way to do something.  Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for the solid foundation I was given in the kitchen at a very young age and I wouldn't trade it for anything.  It's ok, to venture outside and take risks. It's ok to fail, these are lessons money can't buy.  Time and experience are great teachers.

When I began to write this blog I thought it would be all about literal everyday cooking essentials.    As it turns out, the freedom to wander outside the rules is the unexpected ingredient.

A variety of sea salt, peppercorns, olive oil, spices

Some of you may laugh at me, but when our family travels anywhere from the country hills of Ohio to the mountains of North Carolina, my red basket is packed with kitchen essentials I can't do without.  Included in the basket is anything from tools and basic ingredients to fresh herbs from my garden.  These are also the things I use on a daily basis when cooking for my family and friends.

Have fun and don't forget the unexpected ingredient.  It is, in fact, the most important ingredient of all.

EVERYDAY COOKING ESSENTIALS:
(This is simply a very basic list, watch for my blog coming up that will include a variety of cooking and baking essentials.)

Peppercorns & Pepper Mill  ||  Fine & Extra Coarse Sea Salt  ||  Extra Virgin Olive Oil  ||  Chefs Knife for chopping  ||  Paring Knife  ||  Cutting Board  ||  Fresh Herbs ||  Fresh Peeled Garlic  ||  Spices & Dried Herbs