Your Legend in the Kitchen

I absolutely love to cook and I’m going to teach you to love it too!  You might be thinking to yourself right now:

Well, cooking isn’t really my forte.

Here’s the good news:  I am going to share with you the joys of cooking through only a few basic steps!

While living in Russia, I created a pizza that was so delicious and so adored, that everyone called it my “Legendary Pizza.”  Anyone who had a bite was instantly wowed and told their friends about it.  Word spread and soon everyone wanted to indulge in the “Legendary Pizza” experience.  Of course I'll never reveal my secret recipe, but I will reveal one thing:  What made it so special was my ability to personalize the recipe.  Nobody would’ve cared if I had just dumped a can of red sauce and shredded “Italian mix” on a lump of premade dough – It was the innovativeness and personalization that made it legendary.

So personalize it.  That’s right, get personal in the kitchen!  Find a few flavors and make them your own – A combination of cheeses, a mix of colorful veggies, or a unique blend of your favorite potent spices!  If you don’t have any experience with cooking, start by simply making a list of flavors you enjoy while eating out – like the sweetness from the basil in that Mediterranean dish you always order at that mom-and-pop Italian restaurant down the street; or the heat from the jalapenos that decorate the nachos you just can’t stop eating. 

I’ve developed the “Basic Rule of Three,” where all you have to do is come up with three staple ingredients that go well together, and then start adding more to create a workable dish.  Penne pasta (1), cherry tomatoes (2), and fresh mozzarella (3) are a delicious trio.  From there, you can add black and green olives, fresh basil, and grated Parmesan for garnish.  Black beans (1), cheddar cheese (2), and a starch of some sort (tortilla shell, corn chips, etc.) (3) would make for a simple meal.  Then try adding ripe avocado slices, sour cream, and pico de gallo.  Get the gist?

The most important part, even when using my “Rule of Three,” is that you incorporate ingredients that you like.  Perhaps you fancy a relatively peculiar ingredient and you’re worried it won’t mesh with the rest of your dish.  Go for it anyway, and if it’s not so great, tweak it or remove it the second time around.  Don’t be afraid to experiment as long as what you’re handling is making you (and your taste buds) happy!  Cooking is not only an art, it is a science!

Now that you know how to form a basic recipe and personalize it, you’re pretty much set for a smooth transition into the whimsical and yummy journey that cooking is. 

Note:  This is all about veggies!  I was born and raised a vegetarian, so I have been one my entire life (both of my parents are vegetarians).  I have no moral, environmental, or health reason for it; it is just all I know.  So, all of the recipes and tips on this blog will be vegetarian (fortunately or unfortunately for some people)!