There are two ways to cook; to either decide what you want to have then go out and buy the ingredients, or if you are like the rest of us, to plan your meals around the ingredients that you already have. It must be wonderful to always be able to just decide what you feel like eating or cooking, then do it. I can’t even imagine what it would feel like to keep a fully stocked pantry or to always have the time and money to go shopping for whatever I desire. I always have to see what I happen to have on hand, figure what all I could possibly make out of it, then decide what to fix. If this sounds like you, then this is you chapter.

I really hate to disappoint you but this is not something that can be taught in one chapter, or in one book. The best that I can hope for is to give you some pointers that will help you get the hang of it. What is does take is years of cooking experience behind you making all different sorts of dishes, then when you look at what’s in your pantry, freezer, and fridge you’ll just remember all of the things you’ve made with them in the past. I remember watching my grandmother do that and wondering how in the world she could know what all could be made from a list of ingredients. I was so amazed and wondered if I could ever do something like that.