Don’t Be Afraid to Innovate . . . They Do

Those less familiar with these foods and their cooking techniques should stay on course. As you begin to understand the cuisines, go for it and experiment as do the cooks in these lands. I appreciate and revel in the traditional foods, but there is nothing wrong with finding new uses for traditional ingredients and flavor combinations. I have found myself incorporating new vegetables into dishes, using sauces for non-Asian foods, and cross-utilizing leftover sauces as marinades for a barbecue the next day. After all, it’s just food—respect it, enjoy it, and don’t be over-analytical.