What makes you try a new recipe?

[starfire]

When you look at a recipe what makes you think,
"Um, I think I will try that?"

For me it is if it is quick(under 30 minutes to prepare), I have most of the stuff or all the stuff, or if I have had it before.

[dlangland]

Likewise, starfire, or at the bare minimum, thinking I have this or that that I could substitute on hand. Deb

[Kathy]

Sometimes I do it just for the fun of trying something new. Other times it's to use up something that I have on hand and need a new way of using.

I don't know of many things I cook that are 30 min or under-maybe breakfast or lunch there's some.

I'm one of those recipe hunters that says "Oh lookie; it's got 53 ingredients-Cool" type of cooks!

[auntieemu]

I love recipes books anyway and as I am cooking dinner I will often sit and read through one while I'm waiting. If I see something that looks like it would be good, I might make a list of the ingredients if it is not something I have on hand. It's like that Simple Strata I posted the other day - had never tried it before, but the overnight crockpot oatmeal recipe that Rogue posted inspired me to look for other things I could set up the night before. It really seems to please DH when I do stuff like that, and he does not mind trying something new.

[Deleted]

I am what I consider an intuitive cook. I'm really good at reading a recipe and tasting it in my mind. I'm rarely wrong!

[Kathy]

Do most of you read a recipe and decide to try it but before trying it the original way 'tweak' it?

I'm so guilty of that! I may decide to change the herbs or add cheese but I rarely make a recipe exactly as printed.

[dec429]

I like to read through cookbooks and watch Food Network.
I will try a new recipe either because it sounds delicious, or I also enjoy a challenge in the kitchen.
Growing up on a farm with a big family, we all had to take our turns cooking at one point. I was fascinated by it, and went on to work my way through college as a chef.
Don't have much time to try new recipes now, but I will whip some things up for Dennis and I.

[Kathy]

Don, I taught our son to cook from the time he was old enough to see over the counter. I think all children should learn how to cook; it's healthier but also a lot of fun!
We lived on a farm so he learned cooking, baking, how to process fresh milk into cheese, butcher a chicken, all of those skills that will serve him well as he ages.

Now he's the main cook in his family-Jess loves his cooking except when he gets too creative with the hot peppers. ;D They're expecting a baby boy and Cody already said when he starts eating solids; he's making the baby food.

[auntieemu]

admin said:

Do most of you read a recipe and decide to try it but before trying it the original way 'tweak' it?

I'm so guilty of that! I may decide to change the herbs or add cheese but I rarely make a recipe exactly as printed.

It depends on the recipe. I do if something about it sounds 'wrong' to me. Like I just did one the other day that called for more ingredients than the size baking pan listed would hold. You have to figure that they meant 2 cups of milk instead of 4 - that sort of thing.

I often substitue emu egg for chicken eggs - 1/4 cup emu egg = one chicken egg.

[Kathy]

Auntie, I didn't know you could use emu eggs in cooking.

Are they stronger, more like duck eggs? Can you hard boil them?

That would be the quick way to make egg salad-2 or 3 eggs and you've got bowl full!

[auntieemu]

admin said:

Auntie, I didn't know you could use emu eggs in cooking.

Are they stronger, more like duck eggs? Can you hard boil them?

That would be the quick way to make egg salad-2 or 3 eggs and you've got bowl full!

Actually, they are mild. emuszine.com/Food/green_eggs,_anyone_by_maria_minnaar.htm

Only takes one to make a bowl full of egg salad. ;D

[Deleted]

From magazines and cookbooks, I'll usually try a recipe that has a picture. I don't know why but that's usually what happens.

For casseroles and things like that, I do a lot of switching around. For example, I love spicy peppers but cannot eat garlic. If the recipe calls for a lemon but I have a lime that needs to be used up, I'll use that. I don't like to waste food.

When it comes to baking sweets, I will measure EXACTLY. I also take great care when it comes to making substitutions. If I'm going to use applesauce, I'll make sure to reduce some of the liquid to help compensate.

/VM

[Deleted]

First time I do a new recipe I will make it as it is written, I'll take notes along the way. After that I make it my way.

[starfire]

Marchwind- I do the same thing. But if I don't have something I will sub for something else.