"Playing by ear" is a musical term that means you know what notes sound like and you can reproduce a piece of music without the sheet. I like to say I "cook by tongue". I don't much care for recipes, and I know what individual flavors taste like, so I mix and blend ingredients based on what I think will work well together. This often has the result of coming up with unexpected food combinations that surprise and delight.

Usually, when I go into the kitchen I don't even know what I am going to make, but I bring out something tasty almost every time.