to each his/her own but when I'm trying a new recipe, I always follow it to the letter unless it is truly a minor ingredient (eg a dust of paprika, or a specifically rare ingredient) but its hard to say "why does everyone say its awesome" when you've changed the recipe.
For me, I am trying to make new recipes so I am looking to experience new tastes and make new recipes. In general, a lot of the JE recipes have a ton more ingredients than I normally use as a lead food maker for the family of 6 but I enjoyed the Sausage and Shells recipe a lot.