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Cooking is a Process


I wrote this for the WE Cooperative CSA members, but thought I'd share it with my own readers. It's a good reminder...

When I learned to cook in Italy, the woman who taught me insisted that she would teach me how to cook…but not by sharing recipes. She would show me processes. What she meant by that was – if she showed me what to do with dandelion greens, I could use that same process for chicory, spinach, or whatever greens I had. So, I’m going to pass on that sentiment to you: cooking is a process.

If you find a recipe you want to try, don’t stress out if you don’t have all of the ingredients listed.

Here’s an example, if you find a recipe that lists kale but you only have chard in your fridge, use the chard. If a recipe calls for leeks but you only have shallots or onions, use those. 

Substitute, swap, and breathe easy!

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