I read recipes. I love reading recipes. I read them and I imagine the taste and texture and, if it is a really compelling recipe, I copy it down ( by hand--my printer up and died ) and if it is really super compelling, I make it.
And mostly I love the result but, and there is always a but, it would be so much nicer to share the experience with a person rather than what happens so many times, with the mutts who get to finish what I could not eat.
They are more gourmands than gourmets, so I never ask them what they think about my latest endeavors.
I enjoy cooking my recipes and they, bless their greedy little hearts, love cleaning the plates.
It is a win-win situation.