How To Cook Anything

Pogo

This contribution to the Trail Feed cookbook is probably not what would be called a recipe, but it’s an approach to cooking whatever your recipe you are cooking. There are exceptions: my mama’s sweet potato casserole – which I plan to post – could be one, but in truth I’ve cooked it so many times that I haven’t looked at the recipe in years.

First, with apologies to the iconic chefs and folks who are particularly proud of their recipes, recipes are recommendations. Start with them and make them your own.

Here’s my approach to cooking any recipe:

  1. Google whatever primary ingredient you intend to cook. If there’s a specific recipe name that you’re interested in, use that. Go to a trusted recipe site (I like All Recipes) and look at the top rated recipes for whatever it is you’re intending to cook. Alternatively go directly to a recipe you know you like as one of the ones to guide your cooking journey.
  2. Read the top two or three recipes of the search to see what ingredients are typically used and the usual methods for cooking the ingredient. IF THE RECIPE INVOLVES USING MEAT, USE A THERMOMETER TO MONITOR THE DONENESS OF THE PROTEIN. Time suggestions for cooking protein are bullshit, but for casseroles and casserole-like dishes you can probably follow time recommendations and get a decent outcome.
  3. Look over the list of ingredients to see what sorts of things are typically added, and in what amount they’re typically used. Hint, Simon & Garfunkel are not a good source of spices to add to any or every dish. You probably know what spices you like, so use those.
  4. Preheat the pan or oven, whatever, and sort of follow your instincts as far as prepping the meat or whatever main ingredient you’re dealing with and prepping the additional secondary ingredients (garlic mushrooms, onions, and jalapeños are my favorites). Sweat, caramelize, brown – use your instincts.
  5. Add the ingredients such as spices, etc., that are typically used, and add any additional spices that you particularly enjoy. ANY ingredient can be substituted with one you prefer (with the possible exception of cumin in Poobah’s chili recipe).
  6. THIS IS A PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT STEP. TASTE IT EARLY IN THE COOKING PROCESS AND AGAIN BEFORE YOU FINISH COOKING IT. Adjust seasonings to make it taste like what you want it to taste like.
  7. For meat or meat centered dinners stop cooking it when the thermometer tells you it is 5 to 10° below your intended doneness level. Stick a very good thermometer into the thickest part of the meat and remember that meat keeps cooking for 5 minutes after it’s removed from the heat.
  8. Let it rest for five to ten minutes.
  9. Enjoy.

By the way, if this isn’t the approach that you would normally take, take whatever approach you’d like as long as it results in food that is delicious to you. That’s the goal.

However, if you happen to get to East Bumfuck, West Virginia and happen to run across the Pogo residence and are interested in a meal, whatever you eat there will be made consistent with the above approach. Or it will be grilled (see steps 3 & 7, above).

Back to all recipes at Trail Feed