Do you follow recipes to the letter? I improvise, like on the hummus I made. . .
@GardenGerty (160952)
United States
July 16, 2009 10:06pm CST
The recipe was from an ezine article and was very simple. Use a 15 oz. can of chick peas or garbanzo beans (same thing, just two names) Add 2T tahini, 2T extra virgin olive oil, juice from a whole lemon, and one half tablespoon of salt, 2 Cloves of garlic. Process in blender or food processor.
Here is what else I did: 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp tumeric (both pretty traditional), and non traditionally, I put 2 Tbsp. flax seed meal. After it was all processed I also sprinkled on about a tsp of cilantro and stirred it to give it some color.
I have seen other recipes with tumeric and cumin. These are seasonings that are anti inflammatory, supposed to help arthritis. Tumeric gives it a yellow color. Flax seed meal is also very good for a lot of ailments and adds fiber and Omega 3's. I have also put crushed black olives in it before.
I have a hard time following a recipe to the letter. How about you? Do you have a favorite dish that you have put a special spin on?
13 people like this
31 responses
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
17 Jul 09
I follow it the first time if the recipe is a bit complicated, like layers and that, but if it is fairly easy then I will improve on it. For instance I will usually estimate the ingredients instead of measuring them directly, I might substitute whole wheat flour for all or part of the recipe, use different kinds of nuts, use lime instead of lemon, use butter instead of margarine, etc.
For instance my brownie recipe, I use whole wheat flour instead of white flour, and if I want to cut down the fat, I will use half apple sauce for the butter. It turns out all right and my husband who is against healthy food never knows the difference. In fact, he loves it.
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (160952)
• United States
1 Aug 09
You are like me in wanting healthy food. My husband likes the healthy additions though. He is really in favor of the flax seed meal. I put it in pancakes and breads a lot.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
2 Aug 09
I have not gotten flax seed for a while, that is not since we renovated the house. I do have to get some pretty soon, and maybe I will go to the Bulk Store and get some. Right now, however, our budget is quite tight. I am try rye flour in part of the recipes and see how that works. And thanks for the best response. 
@ladym33 (10979)
• United States
17 Jul 09
I almost always improvise, except with baking that I stay pretty exact. Actually that is not quite the truth I have improvised on baking too. I love to create my own recipes. I like to change around spices and add things or make things more healthy. I hope to create a cookbook myself someday, and I am not happy unless I make recipes my own. I consider recipes the base with which I can expand.
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (160952)
• United States
1 Aug 09
Yes, a recipe is often more of a guideline than a strict rule.
@finlander60 (1804)
• United States
18 Jul 09
I learned to cook many years ago. The first thing I learned was to look at any recipe and ask myself if there might be an easier way to do what the originator had started, or was there something I could change to make it more appealing to me or whoever it was intended for.
2 people like this
@babystar1 (4233)
• United States
17 Jul 09
Thanks for the recipe I will try it. Where do you buy the flax seed meal at?
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (160952)
• United States
17 Jul 09
Walmart baking Aisle, right next to the corn meal and stuff, also in Dillons if you have a health food section. Also in the vitamin section in Wal Mart, or the Health food stores. I have also bought my own seed and ground it a little at a time, but I like the convenience of having it already ground up.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160952)
• United States
1 Aug 09
Recipes for baked goods tend to need more strict adherence or the recipe gets ruined.
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
17 Jul 09
Hi GardenGerty, I tend to improvise these days rather than following a recipe, or if following a recipe make changes to it. If I taste something I like which I have not made I try to work out what was in it and recreate it at home. The other evening there was something added to Greek yogurt to make it a relish for a meat dish and it was exceptional. I couldn't work out what it was though so asked the taverna owner what she had put into it and was really suprised by the combination of flavours she gave me. I plan to try it later as a relish to go with the chicken we'll be having but will have to guess the amounts of the 5 ingredients she told me were in there. I was happy to have her secrets as not many taverna owners will give away their recipes.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160952)
• United States
18 Jul 09
Another friend posted about Taziki, and I had to look it up, it uses Greek yogurt. I look forward to hearing about your relish. It is summer here and time for flavorful foods and side dishes.
1 person likes this
@finlander60 (1804)
• United States
18 Jul 09
Don't be surprised if it doesn't come out as good as what you had. The owner has probably been fine tuning her recipe. Just the ingredients would be fine. Folks will adjust according to their taste.
2 people like this
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
18 Jul 09
Tzaki, actually pronounced Jazeke, is served with everything here and I've had so much of the stuff I've gone off it. Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, mint and garlic. With an olive on top. Actually it was on the table the other evening with the new dip and it was a bit hard to distinguish the bowls as it was getting dark but luckily I can smell tzaki a mile off.
1 person likes this
@amybrezik (2118)
• United States
17 Jul 09
It really depends on what I am making
4 people like this
@snoopy04 (718)
• United States
17 Jul 09
I do that alot with all my recipes. I will follow the basic ingredients but I am really bad about adding something to it. When I do my familly always loves it so then thats the way I end up doing it. My recipe books have alot of writing in it because I am always adding or subtracting something from it.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160952)
• United States
18 Jul 09
Mine do to. I think that makes your cookbook really personal.
1 person likes this
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
18 Jul 09
Wow! That sounds really yummy! I have recently discovered hummus and love it. I especially love Sabra Hummus with garlic!
I do have several recipes that I have tweaked to my specifications. I love experimenting in the kitchen and making a recipe my own. I usually do follow a new recipe to the letter and then once I have made it and liked it then I try to tweak it to perfect it.
Have a great day and happy myLotting!!!
I do have several recipes that I have tweaked to my specifications. I love experimenting in the kitchen and making a recipe my own. I usually do follow a new recipe to the letter and then once I have made it and liked it then I try to tweak it to perfect it.
Have a great day and happy myLotting!!!
@GardenGerty (160952)
• United States
18 Jul 09
I used garlic powder, because it was what I had. I think I will buy some fresh today when I run to the store.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
17 Jul 09
Thanks for the information!
I don't stick to recipes at all. I'll omit things I don't really care for and add stuff that I like. For instance, I would eliminate the garlic and include some onion. I'd eliminate most of the olive oil. I like your idea of adding olives, too!
Tumeric is also supposed to ward off Alzheimer's.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160952)
• United States
18 Jul 09
I have thought about putting onion in it, especially this time of year, onion is just so crisp. Chopped scallions would look good in it as well. I do lots of things for Alzheimer's prevention. I will have to do even more tumeric. I use it in my Mexican foods as well.
1 person likes this
@ladym33 (10979)
• United States
17 Jul 09
Yes, I am a pretty big stickler about sticking to directions of any kind and that includes cooking. My wife is the opposit. She likes to wing things. Her food usually comes out good so I can't put her down for that. She knows a lot about food and cooking though so she knows what will work and what won't. But when I cook I want a recipe and I want to follow it to the letter.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160952)
• United States
17 Jul 09
I have done the same thing withmy husband, and he with me, as far as responding on the wrong account. I had no idea that Lady M had a hubby on the lot.
2 people like this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
17 Jul 09
When i bake i usualyy stick pretty close to the recipe but when i cook I nearly always add a touch of this & that. I don't use recipes alot unless i am making something new.
@GardenGerty (160952)
• United States
18 Jul 09
That sounds a lot like my style of cooking and baking. I have begun to improvise some on some bread recipes, though.
2 people like this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
18 Jul 09
wE ALL HAVE TO ADD OUR SPECIAL TOUCH. 
2 people like this
@kprofgames (3091)
• United States
17 Jul 09
I've never tried hummus before, but the things you added and the benefits, maybe I should. I love to be in the kitchen. I have a good plenty receipe books and I have to admit that I use them more of ideas then how to make things.
I'm bad about writting stuff down once I've made it too, which drives my daugther up a wall.
So no, rarely to I follow a receipe to the T. Sometimes I don't even follow on at all, which is most of the time. LOL.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160952)
• United States
18 Jul 09
I bet you make some wonderful things in your kitchen.
1 person likes this
@loveykoh (72)
• Philippines
17 Jul 09
yes, i don't follow recipes to the letter. i love to add-in my cooking style to every dish that i make. i adjust it according to my taste buds and sometimes i replace other ingredients that are not available. sometimes i add veggies even if it's not in the recipe, just to make it more healthy and nutritious. good thing it always turns delicious and became one of my family's favorite dishes or else i would eat it on my own ;D
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160952)
• United States
1 Aug 09
Sneaky way to get the nutrition from vegetables. Hide it in the casseroles and other stuff.
@sauravkapil (101)
• India
17 Jul 09
wat are these recipes i dnt knw wat u asking man xplain in brief
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
18 Jul 09
Welcome to myLot sauravkapil....It really helps if you read a discussion from the beginning, from the ORIGINAL post, and then you will not have to ask for an explanation. All discussions start with an original thought, so when going to a discussion read from the FIRST page and it will help in your responses! Have a good weekend...and enjoy your myLotting. Cheers!
1 person likes this
@danishcanadian (28955)
• Canada
17 Jul 09
I don't do the cooking, so i can't say whether or not I follow the recipe. My husband is the cook in our family. He looks at the recipe, gets an idea in his head, and improvises. He adds a bit more of this, a bit less of that, substitutes something for something else, adds a dash of something interesting, and it turns out great every single time.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160952)
• United States
1 Aug 09
An experienced cook by all accounts. We are lucky to have husbands who like to cook good food.
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
17 Jul 09
Very wise move adding the flax seed. I would do that too, and the tumeric too, and absolutely the black olives.Sounds just yummy, but with the black olives I would leave the salt out for my own preference...and maybe add some celery. Big yes on the cilantro.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160952)
• United States
1 Aug 09
I found this recipe to be too salty for me, even without olives.Celery would be a crisp bite in it. Sounds good.
@sid556 (30959)
• United States
17 Jul 09
I never follow recipes. Maybe if it is my first time making something, I will follow it to a T and then I improvise to suit my taste and experiment. I rarely refer to a recipe anymore while cooking. When baking, I do refer to a recipe and that is mainly because i don't bake often.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160952)
• United States
18 Jul 09
If I go a long time without making something, I have to look up a recipe, and that is what I did with the hummus, then I chose the easiest sounding one to start with.
@sonusd (1547)
• India
17 Jul 09
I never follow any book recipe ,because I have experienced that when ever I follow any recipe I do not get the exact taste of that food because who prepare the recipe he keep in mind about his own choice and taste instead of the person whop is going to eat it and the geographic location
@GardenGerty (160952)
• United States
1 Aug 09
Yes, it is good to customize a recipe for our own taste.
@anniefannie (1737)
• United States
17 Jul 09
i am going to try this and yes i do put my own spices in some things. some spices i don't like and that is when i change them
@GardenGerty (160952)
• United States
1 Aug 09
Using what you like and what you have is a very good thing to do.
@khayshenz (1384)
• United States
17 Jul 09
I rarely follow the recipes to the "t" - I'm not much of a measurer. So I usually just eye-ball it. And sometimes I think of what I can do to make it better - in terms of taste or health wise. The only time that I follow the recipe to the letter is when I'm baking. Even then, sometimes I'm just tempted to say screw it. But accuracy is key in baking, I've heard. *shrugs*
I'm not much of baker because I don't like measuring.
@GardenGerty (160952)
• United States
1 Aug 09
I am very much like that. I enjoy the variety in the things I make.
