it's all in the details

One of the most important things I have learned about cooking is that a great meal is not always made by fancy ingredients, high skill, difficult techniques or complicated recipes.  A great meal is made by the details.

What kind of details?  Small, but important things that take a simple meal and make it super.

Here is an example:
When I was a kid, my dad often cooked fried potatoes.  I would pick through them to find all the brown crispy ones--because we all know they are the best ones!
Sounds silly, but now, I take the time to make sure as many of the potatoes in the pan get as brown and crispy as they can.  I make sure that I use a butter/oil combo, make sure the pan is hot enough, make sure I give the potatoes enough time to brown properly and make sure I add enough salt to make them extra tasty.  Doesn't take long, doesn't take skill--it just takes attention.

How many little details do you skip or not include or rush through?  Next time you are making your favourite meal, take the time to think about the details...all the little things that could make it even better!

Here is a super simple, but easy recipe--so yummy if you include the details!!

Baked Sausage and Onions
1 pkg Octoberfest Sausage
1 onion, sliced


In a pan that can be used on the stove and in the oven, poach sausages for a few minutes to pre-cook slightly. (to poach, just add a little water to the frypan and cover, cook on med heat  for about 7 minutes)  Once liquid has evaporated, top with sliced onions.  Bake uncovered in the oven about 1 hour 15 minutes--or until bottom of sausages are really nice and brown, but not burnt. (...this is the most important detail--sounds silly, but it adds such a richness to the flavour!)
Serve with the onions, fried potatoes and your favourite veg!