I don't use cookbooks so I guess in a way I improvise but then I shop based on what I cook so I very rarely have odd ingredients. I so sort of fly by the seat of my pants so mistake have been made. When whipping up something on the fly I will often reach for a cream soup and add sherry or brandy and pound some meat, although I did that with some expensive lamb chops since I was to lazy to light the grill and I don't think that tasted good, but chicken and pork comes out pretty good. Recently I have been using a lot of lemons and pine nuts, but I can't keep pine nuts around or most other nuts because if I get the munchies I eat them all up. Do you guys cook with wine or alcohol, sherry is one of my main staples, I think most things taste better with a splash or two of sherry. I also like to cook with wine, but LOL there is not usually much left for the food
