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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!

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    Latest Posts

    Italian Stuffed Bell Peppers

    Italian Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe

    Italian Stuffed Bell Peppers. Bell peppers filled with a garlic, onion, peas, marinara sauce, and ground pork stuffing.
    Chicken and BBQ Sauce Recipes

    Chicken and BBQ Sauce 6 Ways

    Chicken and BBQ Sauce 6 Ways will feature chicken cooked differently with BBQ sauce. What will change the most are the complimentary ingredients.
    Honey Mustard Crusted Salmon Recipe Featured

    Honey Mustard Crusted Salmon Recipe

    Honey Mustard Crusted Salmon Recipe. Pan-seared salmon topped with a honey mustard breadcrumb topping and baked in the oven.
    5 Pasta and Peppers Recipes Feature

    Pasta And Peppers Recipes

    Are there any Pepper fans out there? If so, this post of 5 pasta and peppers recipes will add some variety to your starting lineup of base recipes.

    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 Invent A Recipe Post 1

    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.

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    Get our weekly recipe delivered straight to you. And some garden stuff too!

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      Fan Favorite RECIPES

      Stir Fry Cabbage with Green Beans: Feature Image

      Stir Fry Cabbage with Green Beans: A 35 Minute Recipe

      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

      Zucchini with Beans and Sweet Potatoes

      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: Feature Image

      Whole Wheat Pasta Aglio e Olio with Broccoli

      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: Feature Image

      Garlic Butter Tuna Steaks

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

      Cooking Oils

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

      More About Oils
      World Of Garlic: Feature Image

      GARLIC

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

      MORE About Garlic
      All About Tomatoes

      TOMATOES

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

      MORE About Tomatoes
      World of Vinegar: Body Image

      VINEGAR

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

      MORE About Vinegar

      Chicken Recipes

      Chicken and BBQ Sauce Recipes

      Chicken and BBQ Sauce 6 Ways

      Chicken and BBQ Sauce 6 Ways will feature chicken cooked differently with BBQ sauce. What will change the most are the complimentary ingredients.
      Rotini Pasta and Chicken with Peas

      Rotini Pasta And Chicken Recipe

      Rotini Pasta and Chicken with Peas. Ground chicken sauteed with garlic, oil, peas, and diced tomatoes and mixed with cooked rotini pasta and grated cheese.
      13 Italian Recipes with Chicken Feature

      Italian Recipes with Chicken

      From classic combinations of chicken with vegetables to rich and flavorful Italian style chicken dishes, this list of Italian recipes with chicken should have something for everyone to enjoy.

      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

      Honey Mustard Crusted Salmon Recipe Featured

      Honey Mustard Crusted Salmon Recipe

      Honey Mustard Crusted Salmon Recipe. Pan-seared salmon topped with a honey mustard breadcrumb topping and baked in the oven.
      Lemon Garlic Salmon Pan Seared

      Pan Seared Lemon Garlic Salmon

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

      Italian Cold Scungilli Salad Recipe

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

      INGREDIENT SWAP GUIDE

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

      Get the guide
      Ingredient Swap Guide_Blurred_Vertical

      Vegetarian Recipes

      22 Meatless Meals For Two For Dinner Feature

      Meatless Meals For Two

      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 Feature Image

      Zucchini Fritters with Spelt Flour

      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 Finished

      Roasted Tomatoes and Onions: A 30 Minute Recipe

      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 Recipe: Feature Image

      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.

      Pasta Recipes

      5 Pasta and Peppers Recipes Feature

      Pasta And Peppers Recipes

      Are there any Pepper fans out there? If so, this post of 5 pasta and peppers recipes will add some variety to your starting lineup of base recipes.
      Balsamic Chicken Pasta Recipe

      Fig Balsamic Chicken Pasta Recipe

      Fig Balsamic Chicken Pasta Recipe. Boneless chicken bites sauteed with garlic, oil, roasted red peppers, artichokes, peas, and fig balsamic vinegar, and mixed with pasta.
      Rotini Pasta and Chicken with Peas

      Rotini Pasta And Chicken Recipe

      Rotini Pasta and Chicken with Peas. Ground chicken sauteed with garlic, oil, peas, and diced tomatoes and mixed with cooked rotini pasta and grated cheese.