Tasty, tasty mistakes

People are often surprised I can cook. It's really annoying. I'm a good cook. I avoid cooking whenever possible, but I'm good at it when it is absolutely necessary.

I've sometimes had people ask me for the recipe I used to make this or that. This is always awkward. I do look at recipes for some things, but it is the rare occurrence that I follow a recipe exactly. I prefer to follow a process like this:

1. Research typical uses and recipes for any ingredients I'm considering working with I'm not already familiar with.
2. Decide what type of dish I feel like eating.
3. Assemble ingredients I know will work together.
4. Wing it.

Does this approach sometimes limit me? Yes.
Do I sometimes make mistakes? Yes.
Are the mistakes almost always tasty? Yes

My improvisation approach at the piano or organ is similar. I decide on a framework to work within I know works, and I explore the framework as I go. Limiting myself to the framework ensures that anything I do will be workable, so I don't worry about making "mistakes." Sure, I sometimes make a mental note not to do a particular something again, but everything works out because I always know where I am and where I am going.

I don't fear limits. I enjoy the challenge they present. Limits force me to know, understand, and love my tools. Limits present me with the world of the familiar, in which I explore, discover, and make tasty, tasty mistakes.