Separate logic from content

One insight that has greatly helped me to cook a variety of dishes is this - The logic is separate from the content. This principle is widely used in many fields, including software programming, where it is a cornerstone of good design.

What this means in culinary terms is this - all recipes are built on a core logic.  For example, all Indian rotis are built around the logic that flour becomes edible when kneaded into a dough, shaped and heated on a skillet / tandoor. This core logic never changes - however the content does. That is, the types of flour used, the kind of shapes they assume, the kind of additives/ flavouring/ stuffing - all can be changed.

I believe it is a cook's job to isolate this core logic, which then can be converted into innumerable recipes. One page cookbooks are built on this concept. Each book is built on a piece of core logic and showcases how different 'content' can be hung on this frame, creating innumerable recipes.

Understanding this principle has changed the way I cook.