Tragedy strikes! The candles are melting because the cake is still warm! The dog got hold of the essential ingredient! You are flatlining and need protein but all you have is an old can of lima beans! You're short on sugar but the neighbor is out....

What do you do? You have to be quick. You have to think on your feet. You can't just throw the whole project out the window...

So throw some ice cream onto the cake and stick the candles in the ice cream. Everyone will think you meant for it to be that way... Replace that essential ingredient with one you've never tried because after all, what's the worst that could happen? Dust of that old can of lima beans and cook a simple, rustic Italian style chili and serve it with toasted bread (to yourself). Short on sugar? Shrink your recipe... look around for some brown sugar, or maybe maple syrup!

Today I made potato soup with wine and beef broth. Basically, the story is embarassing, but I'll tell it anyway. I had bought a dollar frozen meal or two (or five) for emergencies. And today was one... no food, no time. It was so unsatisfying that I had to cook something else and make the time for it. So I looked in the fridge... hmmm... only some thawing southwest style hashbrowns. Ok, I'll just fry those up. In the midst of frying, I started looking for something to go with. Nothing. But... wait... there's some sour cream, a little beef broth, and I have that bottle of wine I've been waiting to open for a "special occasion." This can be special... So I poured in the broth and some wine to cook. Threw it all in a blender, topped with sour cream, basil, and my very favorite seasoning mix, Old Bay. Good enough to put up on eatNation, I thought... so check out the actual recipe!

The point is, there is usually a solution. I have only very rarely had to abort mission because I refuse to be a perfectionist in the kitchen and am I firm believer in serendipity. When tragedy strikes in the kitchen, you may emerge with a new creative solution that turns into a family favorite (or a personal favorite).