| For a long time I did not understand the lengths | | | | Finally I found a source for the exact recipe used |
| that some people would go to to obtain recipes | | | | by that restaurant. I followed it to the letter and |
| from famous restaurants. I've always received | | | | was delighted (as were the members of my |
| compliments on my cooking, and I found it more | | | | family) to discover that it was indeed as good as |
| a source of pride to hear the "oohs" and "ahhs" | | | | what I previously had to go out to enjoy. |
| that my own creations could inspire than to know | | | | Apart from surprising yourself and others with |
| my guests were simply excited over my ability to | | | | your ability to duplicate a restaurant's most |
| mechanically duplicate someone else's recipe. | | | | famous dishes, such "copycatting" can save |
| Then I found out that sometimes, a restaurant | | | | money. If you're used to dining out, say, three |
| gets a dish just perfect, and there's no way to | | | | nights a week, and part of the reason is because |
| improve on it. When that happens you might as | | | | you really like the food at a particular |
| well just swipe it. | | | | establishment, then try staying home one of |
| This was brought home to me when I discovered | | | | those nights and duplicating that food in your own |
| that I had become utterly addicted to a particular | | | | kitchen. |
| signature dish at a particular widely known chain | | | | Cloning a famous restaurant dish can be just as |
| restaurant. Try as I might, I simply was unable to | | | | satisfying as whipping up something completely |
| make the same dish at home and have it turn | | | | original. Try it sometime. |
| out as scrumptious as the restaurant could do it. | | | | |