Chez Chat -- Le Chef: Make it Fun!
COOKING SHOULD BE FUN
Cleaning up after? Maybe not so much. We think it is good eating that makes the chore worthwhile.
Cooking is a cumulative art. Ever since early humans found that semi-burned things often tasted better, cooks have played with that fact. We learned to control the heat, how things could be combined, and which flavors complement each other and which do not.
Recipes for some things require a strict adherence. Most, however, are more of a jumping off point than inflexible commandments.
Once you understand the basics of a recipe do not be afraid to play with it. Few culinary disasters are completely inedible and the successes are where new recipes come from.