I have a limited repertoire, in part because I am not happy tackling something I don't believe I can do well. Yes, practice may make perfect, but not always, or we would all end up cooking like Martha Stewart or Auguste Escoffier - and we don't. My personal mantra in cooking is TLC. It really is what makes the difference (for me). Starting with the best quality ingredients and no fall back substitutions, no short cuts, and no outside interference ('why don't you try this. Wouldn't it be better to . . .'). Experimentation is fine, but not when a perfect outcome is required right NOW. TLC makes the difference. Just one opinion of course.
Well, I went off the skinny food and went KETO. I'm having so much fun making new things. The list of things I don't eat is so small but makes a "big" difference. I lost 17 lbs just sitting here in front of my computer, "quickly." Now I need to get more exercise, 8 more weeks of this "sitting" and life will begin again. : ) Everything I make tastes great to me, the Lord has blessed me greatly.