Notes on Creativity - Fail Forward

Back in the day when the Internet was just getting hot and publications like Fast Company, Business 2.0 and Red Herring were uber popular there was a saying that resonated in the pages of these tech rags -- fail forward. The concept was all about learning from your mistakes in the world of fast paced technology startups. Over the years this saying has stuck with me and with every failure a vauable lesson has also come shining through. This definitely holds true for my kitchen failures, one of which just occurred last Saturday at my friend JB's house. In addition to slicing the top of my finger off (this is true) I also made squid that turned out kind of icky. Here is what happened and what I learned...

My business partner Kate was raving over this simple jalapeno squid dish she had at a friend's house. The recipe seemed easy enough. Chop jalapenos with the seeds, fry in a little olive oil for about 4 minutes, add the squid and some salt and pepper, cook a little longer and bingo, deliciousness.

Mine was not so easy and not so good. I purchased the squid and cleaned it immediately. Figuring it would hold water in the tendrils I placed it in a strainer for about an hour. Right before cooking the squid I chopped it up and as I placed it into the frying pan I realized that it should have been dried off a little more. The dish was so watery and flavorless that it was almost not worth eating. So my lesson - when cooking squid chop it first, then clean it, then dry it off with paper towels. You can also use a salad spinner before patting with the paper towels.

So remember, don't be afrain to fail, but when you do think about what could have been done different or better. Next time you enter the kitchen remember these lessons and apply them over and over again. And please be carfeul with your sharp kninves.