This is more or less my technique as well. Sometimes I use a slightly different version:

1. Saturation

2. Fermentation: I form old ball theories explaining my new knowledge until I come upon one I like (completely unscientific)

3. Test.

I'd say half of my cooking adventures turn out badly... but the other half are quite edible. My worst attempt, by far, has been sauerkraut. Anything that involves genuine fermentation is probably something that isn't going to be figured out so easily with half-baked search methods.