Adapt an item from the ingredients list on the back of a packaged container and your dish will:

* Be delicious

* Help you know what you’re eating – You don’t need all the unpronounceable preservatives, sodium, and enhancements when using fresh flavors and ingredients.

* Have a fraction of the cost and not very much more preparation time.

* Give your “Great Chef’s Ego” a boost.

Suggestions

* Use all your cooking savvy and figure it out. It usually doesn’t take much time, but does take some concentration. Keep in mind the commercial developers might use brands not available to you, but your dish can still be delicious.

* When you think you are close, invite a friend to taste and give advice. Pay attention to the reaction, but make your own decisions about your dish.

* When you get the dish, write down the recipe.

For Example

On the Bisquick box, there is a recipe for Mini Danish that is a delicious addition to an assortment of breakfast pastries. They are easily prepared, and the only problem is that Bisquick tends to be costly, especially when all of it’s ingredients are already in your pantry.

Apricot Mini-Danish

Ingredients

• 3 Cups White Lily Self Rising Flour
• 2 Tbsp Sugar
• ½ Cup solid vegetable shortening (I use Crisco)

Method

1. Combine flour and sugar, cut in shortening until mixture looks like very coarse corn meal. Think of making pie crust.
2. Sprinkle and mix fresh, whole milk until mixture can be dropped from a spoon, mix well, If your mixture gets too soft, add more flour.
3. Line baking sheet with parchment paper, and drop Danish so that they are no more than 3-inches across.
4. Make small well in center and fill with apricot jam. Think of making thumbprint cookies.
5. Cook until lightly browned, about 10 minutes, 350-degrees.
6. Cool 20 minutes.
7. Drizzle with Royal icing of powdered Sugar and Fresh lemon juice mixed just to pouring consistency.

I like apricot jam, but any jam works well. Cherry preserves is especially nice if you chop the cherries into smaller pieces.

These Danish will keep nicely for a day, at room temperature, in a closely-covered container.