On 6/25/2010 1:49 PM, Steve Pope wrote:
> Let's say I have cooked twenty batches of chili per year,
> each year for the past thirty years (which is approximately
> accurate).
>
> How many of these is it reasonable to totally have a clear
> memory of -- the exact ingredients, the results? Thinking
> back, there are maybe a couple dozen memorable batches of
> chili that I fondly remember, and with those I could state
> exactly what I did; plus I still have a clear recent
> memory of most of them from the past six months to a year.
>
> The rest just blur into one merged memory of my chili-cooking
> experience. (i.e. When did I stop usually using canned
> serranos? I couldn't tell you within five years.)
>
> Is this reasonable? Is there anybody who remembers everything
> they've ever cooked with more or less complete clarity?
>
> Steve

Nope, and wouldn't want to, cooking is a journey into the unknown.
Particularly when you open the cupboard to look for a specific spice or
herb and you're out of it. That's when cooking becomes experimental.