In today's fast-paced world, cooking has fallen by the wayside for a lot of people. After a grueling day at the office, who wants to come home to a hot kitchen when you can simply whiz through a drive-through and get just about anything you can imagine? Or pick up a pre-cooked chicken and some microwaveable veggies at the grocery store?
Anyone who really wants to know what they are putting into their bodies, that's who! I'll be the first to admit that I have days when I don't cook. I either pick up a pizza or chinese food, or throw something straight from the freezer into the oven.
But for me there is nothing more satisfying than cooking a meal from scratch. Not only does it taste better, but I find the time in the kitchen cathartic. Stressed out? Take those frustrations out on the veggies. Nothing relieves stress like a knife dicing vegetables into tiny pieces! Enjoy a glass of wine and the smell of food cooking as you bring together your own masterpiece.
Michael Pollan recently wrote an amazing article urging us all to get back into the kitchen. I agree - making your own food is a wonderful first step in valuing where food comes from and how it gets to your table. I recall my husband's amazement in fresh food (he was brought up on food that came out of a can).
Pollan asks, " The question is, Can we ever put the genie back into the bottle? Once it has been destroyed, can a culture of everyday cooking be rebuilt? One in which men share equally in the work? One in which the cooking shows on television once again teach people how to cook from scratch and, as Julia Child once did, actually empower them to do it?"
Judging from the people I see here the answer is yes! I see so many inspiring dishes here, and I know that there are people out there who value a meal made at home from scratch.
Do you cook at home?
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Comments: 49
Since it's just me during the week (with Little Miss occasionally eating what I cook), I often make casseroles and put them in 8x8 pans, freezing half and cooking half.
YES! And I cook in the homes of others and outdoors (camping, firepits) and even in some commercial kitchens. It's my passion and I love to nourish others.
I'm not a very good baker...
We only eat fast food when we're on the road, and we even keep that to a minimum. I'd just as soon have a PB&J on the road than fast food!
Cooking as an art form lives on.
The only way to eat healthy ALL THE TIME is to cook at home more often than not, and have total control in what goes into your stomach.
The only thing that dissuades me from cooking is the cleaning of those pots that won't fit in the dishwasher. Other than that, I cook 95% of the meals, two to three eating outs/takeouts per month.
It's possible...easily. People are just lazy.
I can't top that 12 hour work day. I've only got 9 hours. :P
Our culture in America is centered around work... I don't think a real "culture of cooking" every day can really "come back" unless the unrealistic/demanding work schedules ease up a little bit.
Since i was the main money-maker in our household, this was a big change for us. Now my husband makes more than I did, but he also lives out of town, which comes with it's own set of demands.
I buy only organic meats and most of the vegetables and fruit are organic, too. I cook lots of traditional dishes but also love to experiment.
I can proudly boast that I have NEVER eaten a McDonalds or KFC product and never intend to do so!
I taught all 3 of my kids to cook and they are now gourmet cooks and cook for their households.
I cook.
I live alone and have fairly good genes regarding not packing on weight - so I can (and do) cook fattening meals for myself frequently. I do not eat much red meat, so I skip all those fats, but I thoroughly enjoy the fats that come in heavy cream, and condensed milk, and a few extra egg yolks. (My life is dessert-heavy. Life is short)
I enjoy making the basics. I like to make my own mustard, mayonnaise, tartar sauce, jellies, ketchup, frosting, pickles, vinegars, vanilla, bread crumbs, salad dressings, breads, baking mixes, and ice cream.
I cook in local Community Kitchens about 60 hours a month. I return home from that work, and very often set about making my own dinner - sometimes I return home with some of the food I made at the Kitchen, but one way or another, I'm eating food I have cooked.
I have not had a commercial pizza in years. I have never bought a meal that goes directly to a microwave. (I do not know how to make microwave popcorn) I don't buy frozen food nor frozen entrees. I do not buy food in cans (except tomato products)
When I make something from scratch, that does not mean from-a-box.
I am just an old fashioned guy I guess.
E.g., fry a heap of fresh greens with enough bacon to keep them all from sticking, add a little balsamic vinegar, for a great side dish. Drain and keep the leftovers to slice into a great omelet. Add canneloni and chicken stock and it's soup. Keeps for a couple weeks and, believe me, it's delicious every time.