How to cook without recipes

1. 01Stock a working pantryOil, salt, pepper, garlic, onions, rice or pasta, canned tomatoes, beans, eggs, vinegar, soy sauce, and a few spices you actually like.
2. 02Own four toolsOne sharp chef's knife, a cutting board, a heavy skillet, and a pot. Everything else is optional.
3. 03Learn five techniquesSauté, roast, boil, simmer, and scramble. Nearly every home meal is a combination of these.
4. 04Use the formulaProtein + vegetable + starch + fat + acid + salt. Get those six right and it tastes finished.
5. 05Season in layers and taste as you goSalt early and again at the end; a squeeze of acid at the finish is what most home cooking is missing.
6. 06Batch cook one base per weekA grain, a protein, and a sauce on Sunday turn into five different fast meals.

General educational information, not legal, tax, medical, or financial advice. Rules vary by country and change over time — verify with a qualified professional before acting.