Cooking is jazz

Cooking is jazz to me.

Let me explain.

I know that following a recipe can yield perfect results, like a delicious cheesecake or an amazing chili.

But sometimes my grocery store doesn’t carry the exact ingredients on a recipe list or I don’t have the time to run out to get carrots. But I have sweet potatoes. So what if I make a switch?

And that’s where the fun of jazz comes into play.

It’s not always just in the knowing how to measure and stir that makes a perfect meal. Everyone’s palette, budget, and mood is unique. And just like jazz, it’s important to know the notes, understand how to play the scales, and how the sounds mix together to create something special in the moment.

So I’m not saying that you have to be a food expert to play jazz in the kitchen. You just have to be a ‘you’ expert and raise an eyebrow to the ‘what-if-I’ moment.

So add peanut butter to your stir fry, if you like a creamy sweet texture and a love of Pad Thai-like food. And don’t be afraid to grill watermelon with your veggies if you want a little sweetness on a summer day. Those little jars and gardens filled with herbs are there for us to play, experiment, and find out what we like.

Following the rules of a recipe can work just fine, but jazz can be just so much more fun.

And you might just stumble into a few delicious rewards.