Introduction. Why no recipe cooking? ; Let's get cooking -- The basic philosophies. Mise en place ; Seven virtues of cooking ; Top ten tips in the kitchen -- The Basic Ingredients. What's in a recipe? ; Top ten lists ; To meat or not to meat? ; Top ten ingredients ; Seasoned with accomplishment -- The Basic Procedures. Three basic steps ; Salads : the tip of the iceberg ; The vegetable rainbow ; Amazing grains and simple sugars ; Cooking grains ; The magical fruit ; Stone soup ; Making soup from scratch ; Dancing, swinging, poetry... marinade ; Sauces and spreads and dips : oh my! -- The Basic Beverages. The good, the bad, and the smoothie ; Coffee, tea, or me? ; The non-milk of human kindness -- Beyond The Basics. Mish mash ; Wild things ; Rosemary -- How to follow a recipe.