Invent Your Recipe: Simple Dishes Made Your Way

Hi! My name is Tom, and welcome to my blog. Are you a beginner cook looking for recipe suggestions? Are you an experienced home cook looking for a place to share ideas and offer recipe suggestions? Or are you somewhere in between? If so, you found the right place.

Here at Invent Your Recipe I make simple everyday dishes that can be changed up using different ingredients.

I offer base recipes and alternative ingredient suggestions. All brought to you by a Cook that does not like recipes! That’s right. I cook without recipes, then write down what I did! It is not for everyone, but that is my style, and I hope you like it.

If you are interested in seeing my recipe style, grab your free eCookbook and enjoy! I also hope to see you in the comments of one of the many recipes on this blog, contributing to the experience!

Latest Posts

Pan Seared Lemon Garlic Salmon

February 24, 2025

Pan Seared Lemon Garlic Salmon. Salmon pieces pan-seared in a lemon butter garlic sauce and served with broccoli.

Simple Recipes With Potatoes

February 17, 2025

In this blog post, I will be sharing 11 recipes with potatoes that I hope win a spot in your base recipe starting lineup.

Italian Cold Scungilli Salad Recipe

February 10, 2025

Cold Scungilli Salad. Sliced conch mixed with peppers, olives, onions, artichokes, oil, and vinegar and served cold.

10 Simple Spinach Recipes

February 3, 2025

Welcome spinach fans to my list of 10 simple spinach recipes for a main dish or dinner. Packed with iron, vitamins, and antioxidants, spinach is a superfood that deserves a spot in every kitchen.

The Concept of Invent Your Recipe

The idea for this website came about from me trying to write down recipes for my wife, who wanted to be able to cook the dishes I love. As I began writing recipes down I found it difficult because I always change the ways I prepare dishes, I like to create, not emulate. The name “Invent Your Recipe” was a direct result of the idea of creating.

And the motto for this idea of Invent Your Recipe is: Create, Taste, Innovate

I hope that this website can serve as a platform for sharing ideas and for pushing the boundaries of contemporary dishes. To learn more about me check out the about the cook page and I look forward to inventing recipes with you!

HOW TO Develop A RECIPE

Invent or Create?

I am analytical and technical in nature, so I invent my recipes, but you can use whichever word you like. After all, it is about enjoying the process and making yourself some great tasting food, without being overwhelmed.

Embrace Your Style, But Try New Things

Lean into what you like to cook and how you like to cook it. Make it your default cooking style. But also see the benefit and value in trying new things.

Create Your Own Recipes

Are you interested in creating your own recipes? I hope so because cooking, creating, and eating is a lot of fun! Especially when you get friends and family to contribute to the cooking and eating experience.

Creating lifelong memories is an important part of cooking for me. Spending time with loved ones in the kitchen is my happy place.

Looking for a framework or guide for creating recipes? I have just the thing. Check out this page, How to Invent A Recipe, to get started.

Included are an introduction to my “base recipe” concept, steps to invent a recipe, and tips for creating your starting lineup of base recipes.

Fan Favorite RECIPES

Stir Fry Cabbage with Green Beans: Feature Image

Stir Fry Cabbage with Green Beans: A 35 Minute Recipe

December 12, 2022

Stir Fry Cabbage with Green Beans. Cabbage sautéed with green beans, tomatoes, and onions and mixed with stir fry sauce.

Zucchini with Beans and Sweet Potatoes

October 24, 2022

Zucchini with Beans and Sweet Potatoes. Zucchini sautéed with garlic, onions, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes and mixed with beans.

Whole Wheat Pasta Aglio e Olio with Broccoli

August 2, 2021

Whole Wheat Pasta Aglio e Olio with Broccoli. Whole wheat pasta sautéed in extra virgin olive oil with garlic, broccoli, and grated cheese.

Garlic Butter Tuna Steaks

November 30, 2020

Garlic Butter Tuna Steaks. Pan seared garlic butter tuna steaks served with sautéed spaghetti squash.

Tom Papia

Creator Of Invent Your Recipe

My name is Tom. I am a food lover who has been cooking since I was a little kid. I am first generation Italian American. I have been cooking for about 30 years, dating back to the first time I helped my mom make Sunday dinner.

Kitchen Pantry

Want to learn more about specific pantry items such as garlic, olive oil, or vinegar? Explore the list below.

Cooking Oils

It is hard to envision a cooking pantry without cooking oils, especially my favorites; olive oil, avocado oil, and coconut oil..

GARLIC

A Closer Look at Varieties, Growing Tips, and Culinary Recommendations. From soft neck to hard neck garlic and their uses.

TOMATOES

To me, nothing says summer like fresh tomatoes. Learn more about the types of tomatoes and even how to grow them.

VINEGAR

Vinegar is an essential ingredient in countless recipes and has been a staple in kitchens worldwide for centuries..

Baked Bone In Chicken Breast With Herbs

January 13, 2025

Baked Bone In Chicken Breast With Herbs. Bone in chicken breast layered with vegetables, seasoned with a sweet marinade, and backed in the oven.

Fried Chicken Cutlets Recipe

December 16, 2024

Fried Chicken Cutlets Recipe. Boneless chicken breasts cut into thin cutlers, breaded, and pan-fried to perfection.

Recipe For BBQ Chicken 5 Ways

December 9, 2024

The purpose of this blog is to demonstrate how a base recipe, in this case, a recipe for BBQ chicken, can be transformed into a new recipe with a few ingredient changes.

ITALIAN COOKBOOK

In Invent Your Recipe Italian, Thomas J. Papia introduces you to his concept: the idea that when you INVENT YOUR RECIPE, these Italian recipes simply become guidelines.

Get My Copy

Invent Your Recipe_Italian Cookbook_Front Standing

Seafood Recipes

Pan Seared Lemon Garlic Salmon

February 24, 2025

Pan Seared Lemon Garlic Salmon. Salmon pieces pan-seared in a lemon butter garlic sauce and served with broccoli.

Italian Cold Scungilli Salad Recipe

February 10, 2025

Cold Scungilli Salad. Sliced conch mixed with peppers, olives, onions, artichokes, oil, and vinegar and served cold.

3 Quick Shrimp Scampi Recipe Ideas

November 11, 2024

This blog aims to demonstrate how a base recipe, in this case, quick shrimp scampi recipe ideas, can create a new recipe with a few ingredient changes. First, we create a recipe, then taste the recipe,

INGREDIENT SWAP GUIDE

Get my highly requested ingredient alternatives list! Over 60 ingredients and suggested replacements. Expand your pantry and flavors!

Get the guide

Vegetarian Recipes

Meatless Meals For Two

December 23, 2024

I present today this list of 22 meatless meals for two. A wonderful collection of vegetarian and vegan recipes to add to your starting lineup of base recipes. Pick one or two, or cook them all, and invent the version of these meatless meals for two that work best for you.

Zucchini Fritters with Spelt Flour

July 1, 2024

Zucchini Fritters with Spelt Flour. Shredded zucchini mixed with eggs, grated cheese, and spelt flour and then pan-fried in olive oil.

Roasted Tomatoes and Onions: A 30 Minute Recipe

June 24, 2024

Roasted Tomatoes and Onions. Tomatoes and onions mixed with extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and black pepper and roasted in the oven.

ITALIAN CACuZZA STEW

Home Grown

Italian Cacuzza Stew Recipe. Cacuzza sautéed with garlic and onions and cooked down with crushed tomatoes and basil.

Traditional

I am sure some of you are wondering, “What the heck is a cacuzza, or a gagootz?” Well, gagootz is the way my family, and a lot of Italian-American families pronounce the word cacuzza.