Have you ever found yourself adrift in the galley, searching for a substitute ingredient when the pantry is running low, or navigating a recipe that calls for a baking pan size you don’t have on board, leaving you unsure of how to chart a course for the right proportions? Perhaps your recipe calls for 2 cups of diced apple, and you’re trying to figure out how many apples to haul aboard. Or maybe you’re in need of a spice like garam masala but would rather not embark on a long voyage around town to track it down. This book is your compass in such situations, designed to help you steer through these culinary challenges with ease. It’s not a cookbook—it’s a “cook’s logbook.” Many cookbooks, like trusty ship logs, include a page or two of general tips that might aid the chef. But how often have you needed to drop anchor on a specific piece of information, only to find yourself lost in a sea of pages, unable to remember which cookbook held the answer? For those with an armada of cookbooks, hunting down that critical detail can feel like sailing through stormy seas without a map. The knowledge gathered for this book comes from a fleet of sources, carefully charted and compiled to provide a safe harbor—a single location where cooks can dock for the answers they need when navigating a recipe. This isn’t just a book—it’s your trusty first mate in the galley. A companion that keeps essential information at your fingertips, ready to guide you no matter the culinary waters. The few recipes included here are like hidden treasures—rarities not found in the usual cookbooks. These recipes focus on ingredients you can whip up yourself when provisions run low, like powdered sugar or spice blends. They’re practical, easy, and meant to keep your culinary ship sailing smoothly. As lifelong admirals of the kitchen, we’ve always enjoyed experimenting with new recipes and savoring the adventure of cooking. We wish we’d had a resource like this when we were just setting sail on our culinary journey. We hope you’ll find this book not only useful but a true companion for every meal you create. Whether you’ve hoisted the anchor on this book for yourself or as a gift for a fellow cook, it’s bound to be a valuable tool for years to come. Fair winds, happy cooking, and bon appétit! Connie, Tana & Haley