One of my favorite things to do is to go to a restaurant, eat a great meal or dish, and then recreate the dish or meal at home. When I’m served a great dish, I eat it more slowly and try to distinguish each individual flavor comprising the completed dish. Once I figure out what is in the dish, I can go home and experiment with different techniques and recipes.

via Imitation Isn’t the Sincerest Form of Flattery–It’s the Best Way to Learn Technique — The Gourmandista