The idea behind The Substitute Cook comes from my habit of constantly changing recipes, removing or adding ingredients as I please. This collection has my most favorite recipes and some I have never made the same way twice. My goal is to give you simple recipes with suggestions on how you can change each to suit your own tastes. Each recipe uses common ingredients and cooking techniques that even beginning chefs can master. I hope you'll make some and try your own hand at being The Substitute Cook.