how often do you use cookbook recipes vs making up your own?

[Cattknap]

Mayiask I do exactly the same thing - I usually follow a recipe as is the first time - I'll tweak it a bit if needed after I've tasted the original recipe.

I do like making up my own receipes as well. I don't always follow recipes when baking - but I do refer to recipes for the correct proportions of liquid, baking powder or yeast, flour, eggs, etc.

[Elle Oh Elle]

When I first started out, I copied everything straight from the cookbook. No exceptions, unless they had included something I didn't eat (ex. I don't eat onions, so I'd just cook with everything except the onions and I would receive the intended result, just not spicy/stinky), which did happen sometimes.

Now I've learned to create several recipes I can call my own, but I would say I do use the cookbooks heavily. Probably 95% of the time I'm just using cookbook recipes.

[rural chick]

A lot of times I use a cookbook to find something which looks interesting then I always tweek it to make it my own.

But, if you stick around this forum, your recipe portfolio will grow immensely. You don't really need a cookbook with all of the great cooks who participate in this Food Forum!!!

[Koale]

Originally Posted by introspective1

I was just wondering when you decide to cook meals that are not pre packaged, how often do you look in cookbooks for recipe ideas? Or do you mostly like to just create your own dishes and experiment with different flavors? I am not good with just making up dishes. I need inspiration lol

I generally always start w/a 'printed' recipe to grab the basics...then I 'fix it'.
lol...
Koale

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Koale

I generally always start w/a 'printed' recipe to grab the basics...then I 'fix it'.
lol...
Koale

I get about 3 cooking magazines and usually will try at least 1 or 3 recipes from each every month. Yes, I do tweek but still I depend on the printed material to some degree. I just used a cold slaw recipe out of my Cruisine at Home magazine last night. I did adjust it a little, to fit our tastes.