Why I Cook

I was reading a brilliant post the other day on All & Sundry - really, she's insanely talented, and if you aren't reading her - well, hop to it, already - and she brought up the subject of cooking. It's one that's near and dear to my heart, and one that I've been asked about quite a bit as of late, so I thought this would be a great time to expound.

See also: have insane writer's block.(And uber dry contact lenses, but that's beside the point.)

When I was about nine - I think, although I'm sure that someone who grew up with me might be able to correct me - my mom decided that we needed to learn to cook.It was around the time that my mom went back to work. Every Friday, my sisters and I rotated dinner detail. We were responsible for planning dinner, writing out a shopping list - and more importantly, remember every.single.ingredient, because Mom wasn't going to buy it if it wasn't on the list - make sure that the meal was balanced, cook and clean up after. I remember it being a LOT of fun. I also, weirdly, remember cooking much too often from the Kids International Cookbook, and I made an awful lot of a recipe called Scandinavian Beans. It started with Kidney Beans, had brown sugar added and a bunch of other stuff.

I remember my mom putting the kibosh on that recipe.

That cooking routine started a love of cooking for me. I took what used to be called Home Ec every year in High School just so I could cook - I hated to sew - and also, because I knew it would be an easy A. (I'm honest.) When I went to college, my first major was in culinary arts, and I completed two years of the program. (I later changed majors twice and then dropped out. I'm an ignoramus.)

I've loved to cook my entire life. When I worked as a nanny, I cooked for the family. When I married, I cooked for my husband. I cook for family, for friends, for strangers and for myself. I love to cook. I find it soothing to mix, to blend, to stir and create. I like to read recipes, I cut them out of magazines and plan entire meals around green beans. I find it rewarding to look in the pantry and create a meal from what appears to be nothing much. 

Part of the reason I love to cook is because, conversely, I love to eat. I mean, I LOVE TO EAT. The melding of flavors on my tongue, the crisp of green salad and the tang of vinegar. The sweetness of frosting - oh, how I do love me some cake and frosting - the feel of a sweet HoneyCrisp apple on my tongue, the bite of sharp cheddar cheese. One of the main reasons I work out so much is my love of food. I'll never be a slim, trim size 0 or 2 because I really enjoy eating. I could live in the gym all day, every day, and it still wouldn't be enough - but it's a start. It's a sensual thing, that enjoyment of food, the delight in the creation of a really good meal.

But I'm a food snob - for I love good food. I don't like just any food, and I'm fairly picky about the things I will eat. Aforementioned frosting is an example - I don't like canned frosting or commercial frosting, but will gladly create a Swiss Meringue or marshmallow fluff frosting that would make your mama cry. If I make a cake, you'll love it. It might not be the fanciest thing you've ever seen, but, by God, it's delicious. In the past couple of years, I've really developed a desire to make my own foods. I'm really not happy with commercially prepared, chock full of artificial ingredients and chemical sounding items I can't pronounce and could not replicate if I tried.

Stouffer's Macaroni and Cheese would be an exception. That is seriously crack on a spoon.

Having a child with food allergies certainly spurred me in the direction of making many of the foods we eat from scratch, for it's much easier to control the avoidance of those allergens if I'm creating the things that he eats. But I've noticed a welcome benefit to preparing the foods for my family. They taste better, they are healthier and it feeds my need for creativity. It's a priority for me, to make bread and Bolognese sauce, beef brisket and sorbet. To make the foods that feed my family completes me.

I love to eat. I love to cook.

Comments

[Maggie]

I love food - good food. I also love to cook. My favorite meals are the ones that come together from ingredients that are on hand and are easy to prepare, yet taste great. Little work and big pay off (in taste)is my goal, but I'm a bit of a snob too(and lactose intolerant), so no cream of whatever soup as an ingredient please. My sister once said that food is just fuel to her - I am so the opposite, but that explains why she really doesn't cook - ever.

[Young Wife]

I love to eat. I love to cook. I don't consider myself a food snob. I do like some cheap foods. My philosophy is, if it's not the greatest thing I've ever tasted why would I waste my time eating it? If I have a craving for Chick-fil-A I'll eat it, but I'd never waste my time on a Twinkie when I could bake something far better. Lucky for me my parents raised me on LOTS of fruits and vegetables. Broccoli is one of my favorite foods, so it balances out all the other stuff!

[Headless Mom]

You and my husband would get along great-he's quite the food snob, too!

[Katie]

"Stouffer's Macaroni and Cheese would be an exception. That is seriously crack on a spoon."

Amen sister!

[Amy]

Loved this post. I too began cooking at a young age--I was eleven when I took over full cooking responsibilities for our family of 8.

I am such a food lover that I realized recently that I must become of major workout star in order to maintain any form of shape. Not to your level yet though so my shape is still more Pillsbury dough boy than Hot Sassy Cook.

[Nicki]

I have always loved food (see the size of my thighs for proof), and I have been slowly moving more to cooking as much as possible myself. After realizing just how many things contain peanuts or are processed in a plant that contains peanuts, etc., it's just easier for me to make it myself. It does feed a creative need for me as well.

[kyooty]

I also love to cook but a big problem lately is that my kids are a different kind of food snob. LOL
I also love to eat, and well hate to exercise so I'm at a standstill.

[mary]

dh and I just had this conversation the other day! I told him I knew 2 people {now 3 with you} who LOVE to cook, just love it. totally foreign to me. I do not get that at all. While I LOVE to eat if someone else took over the cooking I would be OVERJOYED. I just do it b/c I have to. And none of my stinkin kids like to cook and i have TRIED I have tried. lol

if I was going to cook I would bake, I do like to bake, its how I got my ass so big! Now I only bake when it is leaving the house or will be scarfed down. I have an unreal coconut cake recipe. {and i agree on the stouffers. ya yum}

[wookie]

I like to eat, and I have a love-hate relationship with cooking.

I hate the repetitiveness. That I do it 2-3 times a day, 7 days a week. That it is never ending. That with 5 people to feed that someone always dislikes something. That with 5 people to feed I never seem to have enough leftovers to do lunches the next day, but have just a smidge of everything. The times my oven is flaky and I cook my potatoes for an hour and they are still not cooked.

I do enjoy the cost savings. The feeling of success when everyone eats with minimal fuss and I have provided a balanced meal. I feel a perverse sense of pride when I get to the end of the week with nothing wasted. Knowing that despite my many shortcomings as a parent, I am adequately fulfilling this particular requirement :-)

[MamaCas]

I work part-time (VERY part-time) at a cooking school...I've been there for 6 years and let me tell you, it was the best thing I've ever done. I will never get rich working there, but I've discovered a love of cooking and food. Jicama is now a regular staple in my house...the kids love to eat it raw.

[UKCraftySal]

I'm another one who loves to cook and to eat. I like to cook from scratch, and eat seasonally. My husband and I eat just about anything; oh for kids that did the same. They are insanely difficult, although gradually are enjoying a few more things (although at this rate, they'll be 150 years old before thay enjoy the variety that we do!)

The downside (apart from the temptation to eat way too much) is that I equate cooking for those I love, with giving them love, so I feel rejected if what I make isn't appreciated. Silly, but there you are.

[Lea]

Hi,
got here via Shannon Rosa, aka Squid.
She mentioned you needed some IEP help/support. Please contact me if you want to chat. I live in CA but I think the system is pretty much the same everywhere.

[Katherine]

OK Carmen, I need a cigarette after reading this post!

[Kat @ TodaysCliche.com]

Your blog is so informative and clever. Can't wait to try most of your recent posts. I intend to stop by again!
Our blogs are semi-similar; I'd love your feedback about mine, if you have a sec!
www.TodaysCliche.com. Thanks!!