Recipes are a guideline

I will be the first to admit I am not a great cook. I enjoy baking and am pretty good at that but when it comes to regular every day meals, not so much. My kids are used to it and keep their expectations low. My son often says after a botched meal attempt, “that’s ok mom you tried your best” and eating out is always a good back up plan.

However, a friend of mine blames a large portion of my poor cooking skills on my lack of following the directions. Recipes in this case. He noticed me one day making macaroni and cheese, yes out of a box, and when I didn’t actually measure the milk he gasped and the following dialogue ensued:

HIM “What are you doing not measuring that?”

ME “I’m eye balling it?”

HIM “Why would you do that?”

ME “Um, because its mac & cheese. From a box.”

HIM “But how do you know you’ve put in the required 1/4 cup?”

ME “I know it’s close. Who cares its mac & cheese.”

HIM “That’s why your food doesn’t turn out. You don’t measure.”

ME “Whatever. Recipes are just guidelines.”

I won’t bore you with the rest of the details but as you might imagine he was even more upset by that statement.

What about you? Do you follow the recipe exactly?

Laina