Deborah Ratcliffe on why your innovations are the vital ingredient which makes a dish your own

Innovation is the vital ingredient when it comes to cooking at home, says Deborah Ratcliffe

My daughter said I was a nightmare when I tried to teach her to cook – patience was not my strong point I gather! Same goes for my husband when he occasionally takes over the cooking.

He says I pretend I’m not remotely interested in his efforts, but watch like a hawk, ready to swoop down if anything appears to go wrong.

Hands up! Guilty!

Actually both are excellent cooks and need no help from me, as is my granddaughter, Phoebe, aged 11.

She’s become quite accomplished and rustles up delicious meals for the family.

She uses recipes as a guideline and tweaks them to add the Phoebe touch.

Today’s yummy salmon risotto is an example.

She didn’t have all the ingredients required for the original recipe so made a few substitutes, and the end result was delicious.

Although following a recipe is necessary for certain staples such as a sponge or sauce, on the whole your innovations are the vital ingredient which makes the dish your own.

Do remember though, the overall balance of the end result – extra jalapeños in a chilli or slug of rum in a chocolate mousse can kill flavour and tastebuds. Keeping with the innovative theme I’ve put my own spin on the fishcake recipe below, swapping mashed potato for sweet potato and using panko crumbs instead of flour to dip them in.

In a large frying pan add the oil and when hot, add the onions.

Cook till softened, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and rice, stir constantly for a minute.

Add a large ladle full of stock/wine; simmer and stir constantly.

When all the liquid is absorbed add another ladle full and stir for a few minutes.

Gently simmer for 20 minutes or until the rice is almost cooked.

Watch carefully and top up with stock to stop drying out, stir occasionally.

Add the lemon juice and any remaining stock.

Next mix in the salmon, crème fraîche, tarragon and Parmesan.

Cook until salmon is ready and stock absorbed.

Finally add the langoustines (prawns) and warm through.

Season to taste. Optional: Garnish with pea shoots and extra Parmesan.