"I don't cook"

[dagibbs]

I often say, both to myself and to others, that "I don't cook, I can cook, but I just don't find it worth cooking for just myself". And in moments of self-reflection I wonder if this is a valid statement -- or is it some patriarchical bull-shit that I think to feel better about myself.

But, looking at this last vacation in Mexico, I think it is a reasonable statement. I cooked breakfast for our group (2 the first week, 3 the second week) every morning. What I made varied from day-to-day, and was made from a combination of primary (e.g. eggs, potatoes, onions) and secondary (e.g. salsa, chorizo, tortillas) ingredients. I also cooked a lunch on the day Kate arrived. And, I think the food generally turned out well.

And, this is consistent with previous vacations to Mexico, as well. When it is convenient to cook for more than just myself, I am competent at it, and I do do so.

Comments

[beable]

I've also seen you cook at your cottage I'm pretty sure.
And that time you invited me over for curry.

I don't cook much either.
I keep telling myself I ought to make meals on weekends to eat during the week, but I am perfectly happy making toast & protein when I get home from work (usually peanut butter or eggs or cheese) and if I'm only cooking for myself I'd usually rather spend my time doing other things.

I don't know if I feel competent at cooking but my baseline is people who do cook. I can follow recipes. More to the point, I can look at recipes and then do my own thing that treats the recipe as a guideline. Which spices I want to use and what approximate proportions of ingredients I want to use are where I'm most likely to look up recipes for guidance.

[dagibbs]

I would say that fits the definition of "can cook".

[ilanikhan]

I don't find it worth it to cook for myself most of the time either.
I've found that many people who live on their own feel the same.

[dagibbs]

Yeah, it may be the living on your own thing.