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 Posted By: Semigourmet 
Aug 5  # 11 of 16
I usually like it quite or with some music that I like playing. I don't mind food network playing while cooking. but also if I want to eat then I need to cook. otherwise if hubby cooks it is beans and hot dogs. LOL!
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 Posted By: aeiou 
Aug 18  # 12 of 16
I prefer to have the television playing while I cook even if I am not really paying attention to what show is on.

Before I begin to make a dish I have to check to make sure that I have all the ingredients to make the dish. There is nothing more frustrating than to get part way through making a dish and find out that you are missing a necessary ingredient.
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 Posted By: KYHeirloomer 
Aug 19  # 13 of 16
Not only is it frustrating to discover you don't have an ingredient, or not enough of one, it's actually more efficient to have all the ingredients measured and ready to go.

It's part of what the French call mise en place.
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 Posted By: oldbay 
Aug 19  # 14 of 16
mise en place.:

oldbay's translation: "Everything in it's place ready to go."

Meaning, have everything ready to go.

I strive to the excellence of making my meals with everything on hand. Occasional substitutions happen. I agree it is absolutely the worst frustration cooking, besides burning something, when you're missing the 'whatever' and is more so when you looked at the list and think you have the needed items. So I suppose, my first goal in preparing to cook is "mise en place" :)
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 Posted By: aeiou 
Aug 19  # 15 of 16
I know exactly what you mean about being frustrated when you have a specific meal in mind and you begin to cook the ingredients and then something burns and ruins the dish.

I recently did that when I was making spaghetti. I was browning the sausage, onion and garlic and went to the pantry to get other ingredients and before I knew it the sausage, onion and garlic was burning. What was even more frustrating I was all set to start again but did not have anymore sausage..argh!