[Aunt Clara]

This is something I repeat all the time "cada cocinero tiene su librito" (each cook has his/her own book). In the case of cookbooks that saying is quite literal. But what interests me here is the style of following instructions from recipes. In my case I have to confess that I love to improvise, which leads in some cases to spectacular results, and in some other cases to embarrassing disasters.

This is one of those cases that I preach but don't do. I always recommend our readers to follow recipes to a T for the first time, and when they get it right to improvise their own dishes. But we all know we don't always follow sage advice (even our own).

What is your style?

[Eleen]

I follow faithfully..if its my first time doing it....but after that i usually improvise.

[Aunt Ilana]

Same here, and that's why I hardly ever bake

[Cheeky Charlie]

I had to learn the hard way. I used to improvise and substitute and would wonder why it came out wrong until I actually started following recipes properly. Now, I follow recipes faithfully until I've mastered it and only then will I start to play about with the ingredients.

[topolina]

Then I Change How I Like, If Is Necesary,
And In The Others Times I Always Do For My Self, I Like To Improvise,
Making A Little Be Fantasy In My Recipes.

[x_addicted]

I agree with Topolina usually when I prepare the meals for the first time I follow the recipe faithfully. Then there is always those times when you remember you forgot to buy a certain ingredient for the meal that's when you improvise or just you might want to make the recipe your own.

[mimami35]

I agree with everyone else.. The first few times I will follow the recipe, but after that, if it needs improvising, then I will do it.