{photo by Mandy of Harper's Happenings, recipe here}
I like to cook when it is fun.
What I mean is: I do not like to walk into my house at 5:45, scan the items in my refrigerator and pantry, and promptly “whip something up.” Because let the record show: I cannot whip anything up, and I certainly cannot whip something up in the time it takes me to get hungry at the end of a day (approximately 30 minutes to an hour).
But I can, when the occasion occurs, find a recipe I like on Pinterest or in one of my half-dozen cookbooks or in an email from a friend. I can make a list and plan out a weekly menu and buy groceries. I can cook with Jordan and have a meal ready in time for Jeopardy!.
All of this, I thoroughly enjoy… when there is time.
That, I think, is key. Time.
If I want to enjoy cooking, there has to be time.
As an adult, cooking has never been my favorite, not for lack of interest, but again, for lack of time. And, I am, it must be confessed, highly influenced by Lorelai Gilmore, and alas: There is no Sookie in my life to come over and cook up something fabulous at a moment's notice.
But I enjoy the moments I share with Jordan in the kitchen. I enjoy the dance we develop in our tiny kitchen, coming from the pantry to the counter, the oven to the refrigerator, dodging each other and the dog laying at our feet.
I enjoy knowing I created something with my hands for the two of us. I enjoy putting good things into my body. I enjoy the concocting and the — nerd alert! — directions-following.
I do not ever think I will be one of those people who whips things up. I will probably never add a pinch of this and a dash of that.
Instead, I will look for recipes that make my mouth water. I will slip and slide my way through the grocery store, smiling at the fish man as he explains to me what “shelled and deveined” shrimp look like. I will — perhaps not every night, but some nights — take the time to cook a meal with my hands.
I will enjoy the effort, and I will celebrate, because sometimes I remember: I am growing up in the best kind of ways.
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Do you enjoy cooking? Why or why not?
8 comments:
Good Morning:) I really love cooking!! My mama is a genius at throwing stuff together and so I do have some of that cooking spirit in me:) You are right though....when I am too rushed I can't get into the cooking vibe. I have such great memories of cooking for friends and family throughout my lifetime. Having someone appreciate what I have cooked is a secret and sweet pleasure of mine:) Instead of rambling on I will say...great post. I will probably be writing about cooking over on my blog soon. You inspired me this morning:)
I find cooking a quality meal for myself to be one of life's greatest pleasures. I am self-sufficient and doing something for no one's pleasure or satisfaction but my own.
Also, if there's leftover spice cake, please bring me a slice to Sunday school!
Annie, I love your blog. You have an amazing gift with words =). Glad I found it; also glad it seems you're doing so well.
I'm in your boat. I enjoy cooking, but I only enjoy it when I have time to enjoy the process, which is never. Oh well, maybe when I retire in 30 years :)
i love cooking. It's my italian root.
And a memory of all the women of my family. For cooking is not necessary a long time but i think is personal. Forgive mistakes for this translate.
Happy sunday.
brunella
I love cooking! All the time, any time. It's so fun to "whip things up" from recipes I find on Pinterest or a food blog.
The only thing I don't enjoy about cooking is making the same things over and over again. We always seem to be stuck in a food rut, and when you make the same chicken recipe for the 237th time, it just kind of takes the magic out of it! I like variety. :)
I'm pretty much in the same boat as you in terms of cooking. I don't mind doing it when I have time (or inspiration) but I hate to cook in a hurry and when I don't know what I'm cooking. And I especially love it when Collin is in the kitchen helping me, or in most cases doing most of the cooking!
Oh I love cooking when I have sweet time!
I have struggled to enjoy it during my current life stage of 4 little ones underfoot. But, you know what? I had thought I would never be one to "whip something up & add a dash of this & that". Now I do. It isn't the same sort of fun. But when it comes of tasty good, it is so satisfying!
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