Does cooking require a recipe?
Absolutely freaking not!!!
The best meals come from not using a recipe and using improvisation along side of creativity. If you use your creative senses and knowledge about food, you can create the most delicious multi-dimensional dishes.
Never cooked without a recipe? I got you.
You don't always need to rely on a recipe when you're cooking. I mean you totally can if you want but you're only limiting yourself. Instead of following a recipe word for word, think about all of the different components of the ingredients you have and start pairing things together that you think would complement each other. Our tongue recognizes 5 different elements of flavor; savory, sweet, sour, bitter, and umami*. There are endless combinations of flavors but adding multiple different elements to a dish can make it quite memorable. For example, when making a salad squeezing from fresh lemon, chopping some fresh basil, or parsley, will add a lot of freshness and brightness to your dish. Start by experimenting with different ingredients and adding them to your meals. If you know what each ingredient tastes like on its own, then you're ready to start creating some magic. You can start out easy and incorporate new spices or herbs to your dishes. Use your best judgement and try it out! That's the only way you will learn.
My favorite way to cook is to look in the fridge and pantry and see what I have and then create something with those ingredients. It's not necessary to measure out every little thing either... to me that's just crazy. Like when recipes say to add 1/4 teaspoon of salt...do you seriously need to measure that out? Like why not just season your food to taste? Once you start experimenting you will be able to do it without even thinking twice.
Try this: look in your pantry and fridge and see what you have. Pick your main component of the meal like fish, meat, or tofu and build upon that. What vegetables or starches pair well with the main component? Then think about what spices and herbs you can add to enhance the flavors of the dish. Don't limit yourself.
Culinary art and presentation
Cooking is an form of art. Being able to pair ingredients together and improvise in the kitchen is a true skill. But it is a skill that you can obtain by practicing and being more knowledgable. You don't need to do research or read books about cooking. Just go out there and do it.
Not only is cooking a form of art, but presenting food is too. Have you ever been to a restaurant and the food you ordered comes out looking like the cooks just slapped it on your plate? Nasty. You already have a bad taste in your mouth before you even eat it. Presenting your food is one of the most important components of cooking. Not only does it impress your guests at first glance, but it allows you to get creative. It's the little things.
Here is some inspiration next time you cut some fresh fruit.
Don't be afraid to go outside of your comfort zone
Going out of your comfort zone is the only way to expand your knowledge and culinary skills. I think you will be impressed at the types of meals you can create without following a recipe religiously. Now get out there and try it out. Don't think too much.
Comment below with dishes you created. Or if you haven't done it yet, tell me what's holding you back.
Now, go kick some culinary a**!
Source:
*https://glutamate.org/basic/umami-fifth-taste/