So many times people become complacent and overlook the key ingredients, or the care of choosing them, that are truly crucial to the success of a recipe. I’m not pointing fingers here, for I for one, am just as guilty. So I thought it would be a good idea to list a few guidelines:
- Take time to carefully select quality ingredients.
- Go out of your way to learn something about that ingredient.
- When choosing, attentively assess and try to know what makes that particular ingredient special.
- Observe it’s true essence, how it interacts, how it stands, and it’s true color and character.
- Embrace its uniqueness and complexity.
- Try to assess how that ingredient will add worth, react, influence, and/or change other ingredients in a positive way.
- Try a wide range or variety of ingredients to add to the excitement and exchange of the recipe.
- Be creative and try new combinations.
- Go beyond your comfort zone and give the unknown a chance.
- Monitor and gently guide these ingredients for overall success.
- Observe compassionately so when a moment of trouble does occur, you can quickly help assist back to a successful outcome.
- Even with careful planning and forethought, sometimes the ingredients in a recipe will take on a life all their own. So sit back, observe and revel in its unpredictability. Sometimes a deviation or mistake can have unexpected and glorious outcomes.
For those who have read to this point, I hope you have learned something. For those of you that have read to this point and think this author is pretentious or flaky, think again. The ingredient(s) that I have been describing are the friends and guest that you invite to your gatherings, or for the most part, your life.
A recipe is only a guide to a particular outcome. It is not set in stone and can always be adapted, as life often shows us. So do me a favor, when making plans for your next dinner or gathering, try some of the guidelines I have mentioned. After all, using only the choicest and carefully chosen ingredients, blended with care, will have a successful outcome that will be memorable and talked about for years to come.