I shake the spice straight out of the jar and into the pan without a measuring spoon. I estimate when it’s been ten minutes without a timer. I watch the dish, smell it, taste it, and let it tell me what it needs.
What kind of cook am I if I only follow the recipe? If I only do as I am told. Who is cooking then? Is it you, anonymous recipe writer? How many times have I mindlessly followed your instructions before? Just a puppet on your strings, is that what you think of me? Huh?
Well, not today! You say, half a cup of milk. Ha! I will put in three-quarters of a cup. Because I like it creamy! And even if I didn’t, I would do it just to spite you.
Recipe rebel!