Post 44 -2013 Cooking

I love cooking.  Love love love it.  I would love it even more if I had a bigger kitchen and money to buy all of the things that would make cooking better but still I love cooking. I love figuring out in my head what will be cooked.  I love prepping the food before I begin (cutting, chopping, sorting). I love throwing things into a pan, adding more items by smell or taste until a masterpiece is formed. I love arraigning it out on a plate so it looks like perfection before anyone ever touches it. Presentation to me is just as important as the taste. I love colors! We got into a routine of  slacking. We have started going out to eat on a very regular basis.  Not good for the waist or the wallet. Well his wallet :D  See for us it is usually simpler if we go out to dinner. Everyone gets exactly what they want to eat. No one has to compromise. No one (me) has to cook or clean up. It is a win win for the most part. Except I get sad. I enjoy making a meal and having him say it is good or even great. Which by the way is fairly difficult for my husband. When we first moved in together, I would get a "it's fine" or "it's ok". WHAT? I spent the last hour to 2 hours slaving in the kitchen you ate two helpings and it is ok  WHAT?  By him saying that he meant he liked it, but that meant something totally different to me.  He has learned to tell me if he really likes it or not, because if I think you like it, you will get it again.   I only eat fish and he is a carnivore. So when I cook I try to make either really really yummy vegetarian meals (sans mushrooms as he hates them, which sucks for me because I love love love them) or like last night I made spaghetti  a sauce with meat for him and a sauce with veggies for me.  I got, :it was good.. you sure know how to cook meat".  Guess spaghetti is on the list of make it again :D

I feel like cooking gives me the total food experience. I get a work out by cooking, as I am moving pretty fast in the kitchen; I get to know exactly what goes in my food, so my calorie count is completely accurate. I know exactly how long it will take before i get to eat and I get to make an amazing meal (most times, I do fail at times) that is enjoyed by all who eat it. And well that.... that makes me smile and a very happy girl!

If you have never tried cooking, start basic. Use the pre-made sauces or even Campbells soups  once you get the hang of that move up, use a recipe site like BigOven whose recipes all come from users who have used them. They are usually non fail recipes.  Do not forget to have fun. Cooking is supposed to be fun and if you love food there is nothing better than enjoying a freshly made with love and lots of effort home cooked meal!

Enjoy!