Yesterday, I was picking up tickets (going to see Second City tonight with my friend, Juno!). And the lady selling me the tickets made a comment, asking if I'd just come from a restaurant. Nope, from my house, I said. Evidently the cumin in my white chili lingered on my jacket. :)
She commented that she wished she could cook. She just "doesn't know how or have the time." I assured her I threw everything into the slow cooker and let it do all of the heavy lifting. But she seemed unconvinced.
It really makes me sad how many people float through life saying "I can't cook." Frankly, I think it sucks to be them. And I think they're wrong. Really, if you can read and follow directions, you CAN cook. Or at least in my opinion.
No, what I think it is is that people aren't BRAVE enough to cook.
Sounds silly, doesn't it? But hear me out.
I think people are afraid of trying something new, and failing. Then being hungry on top of that. ;) The other struggle is if you live alone ... and don't like what you've cooked. Then you're stuck with it (I just hate throwing things out!).
But seriously .... following directions is NOT all that difficult.
But being brave ... well that's another story entirely.
Here's a great example. I purchased some ginger on sale. I don't know what to DO with ginger. Instead of being a good girl and looking it up, I just sort of made it up. I mixed it with Tarragon and olive oil and rubbed it on pork chops. We'll see if it works! But I will say it certainly SMELLS good as it cooks just 3 feet away from me. :)
I'm SURE there are some of you out there who know what I'm talking about!
And now I'll confess there are certain things *I* have not been brave enough to try.
1. Couscous. I ate it at my friend, Erin's house, and LOVED it, but have I made it at home? NO. I need to work on that.
2. Lentils. Yeah, cheap protein, so why not? But I just haven't.
There are some things i was scared to try, such as dried beans and dried chickpeas, but now just LOVE using them in and around the kitchen ... so be brave, friends! Because cooking does NOT take talent, it just takes bravery.
6 comments:
and time. . . it takes time to find recipies, to make sure you have ingredients, to get all the ingredients together and actually do to them what the recipe says - definitely cooking takes time. With thats said, I agree that it is definitely worth the effort! And I agree with the bravery as well.
By the way, if you come across any recipes for kidney beans or pinto beans that are just amazing, let me know. I have access to those beans at a very cheap rate but other than chili, chalupas, and one veggies stew (that my husband hated on the first attempt - go figure) I cannot find any way to use these beans in a manner that does not turn my stomach!
enjoying the long posts. cooking becomes more challenging the more mouths (with varying tastes) that are added to the table. i can not think of one thing ben and max will both eat, guaranteed. they are so hit or miss.
I think cooking is rather adventuresome. Who knows what you can create - bring on an empty bowl and a pantry and fridge of assorted ingredients!
I don't really use recipes when I cook, because I really like to dump stuff in. It is usually not a problem, until someone asks for a recipe --- and they are one of those people who actually follows a recipe when they cook. Ooops.
So, experiment with spices, explore new ingredients and enjoy the delicacies that you create!
Wow! I'm just amazed at all of the comments on my rambly posts. ;)
I'll see what I can find, Mary S!
Other Mary, I'm praying we don't have picky eaters!
Andrea, I totally am in the "just dump into a pot" mode, too. :)
Oh, and the pork chops were FANTASTIC!!! Ginger is my new favorite cooking ingredient. It seriously makes it taste oriental-ish. :)
I agree with the time - and making sure you have the ingredients. :) But I love just tossing whatever fancies me in to a dish.
Did you get ginger root? If so... put a piece about the size of the end of your thumb (from the first knuckle) in some rice as it cooks. Yuummmmy!
My sis and I were just talking about people who say they can't cook the other day. I agree, I think it's just laziness/lack of bravery.
Andy and I are both "throw it in the pot" kind of chefs. The only time that becomes a problem is when you've made something really incredible and have no idea what exactly you put into it. One of my favorite things to do with ginger root is to grate it into some fresh squeezed orange juice, add some soy sauce (with cornstarch dissolved in it) and let it boil (until it thickens) (You can also add crushed red pepper if you are a fan of spiciness) then mix it with grilled chicken and mandarin oranges and serve over rice. I'm not the sweet and savory type usually, but this dish is just SO yummy. (It's trying to imitate TGI Fridays' Dragonfire Chicken)
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