The Time Saving Secret- Loose the measuring cups and spoons?

I think I may have unlocked the secret to the stress created by home cooks.

Unless he is cooking pastries, breads or desserts, I have never watched my husband measure anything. Nothing. No thing. 

When you're getting ready to make dinner for the family, or appetizers for a party, or host a dinner party- you're stressed. What if you don't have all the right ingredients? What if you put too much salt and not enough garlic or worse (gasp!) too much garlic and not enough salt? What if. What if. What if. You carefully measure everything that is going to go into a meal and then wait patiently, literally watching the pot of food, hoping that you followed all of the directions carefully.

But, watch a professional chef cook and they are all about the 'feeling' or whatever macho way they describe how they know when to add more spices and seasonings. They aren't concerned with the fact that they don't have tarragon and therefore cannot make the recipe. They find a substitute, and work with what they have, knowing that the end result will be delicious- even if it's not exactly what is pictured on the recipe card or the cookbook.

So save yourself some time and stress and know that your food will come out well. Taste as you go and enjoy the process. You have had countless meals before this one. You have measured out countless recipes before this one. So trust yourself and your ability to add a pinch of salt rather than 1/8 of a teaspoon (how silly of a measurement is that!). If I didn't learn this simple thing- living with a chef would be a nightmare for an OCD personality like me.