So the one thing you can be sure about when cooking is that you are going to have little fuck ups every now and then. For Example, tonight I am making Cream of Mushroom for my roommate to use in her little Tater-Tot casserole concoction. I find a decent recipe, decide I really don't need the splash of Sherry it calls for, because really, why would I have sherry sitting around. I bike over to the store, buy more mushrooms and thyme and bike back. Once I get started I realize that I bought WAY too many mushrooms, the onion I thought we had is in the process of creating new life, and all the Half and Half is gone.
Ok, so this stuff happens. Cooking, and I mean really cooking is about being flexible. I nix the onion and add a little garlic powder instead and I bike over to the liqueur store for the creamer. I start the mushrooms cooking to soften them and eventually use 2 different pots to cook it, trying to get the right size one for the job. Then I proceed to puree them in the cook processor, at which point the liquid content overflows and mushroom water flies everywhere.
My point is, life is not a cooking show. This are not placed nicely before you. It's messy and sometimes chaotic. A lot of times you have to improvise with the ingredients and the tools. That being said, once you have the basic fundamentals down, making substitutions and jury-rigging is all part of the fun. It all becomes the little challenges that you have the power to overcome.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
Why the hell would I want to cook?
Why cook? Good question. Sure you could go out to eat all the time. But that cost money, and that adds up. Sure you can order off the dollar menu, but then you are getting sub quality food. If you want good quality food, you gotta pay more.
Here are my reason why every guy should learn how to cook.
1) Money: As noted above, all food cost money. When going out you are also paying someone to cook that food and for someone to give you the food. Save that money, make the food exactly how you want it, in the portions you want. With the money you, you can treat yourself to a really NICE dinner every now and then. OR if you are in college, you can buy more beer.
2) Nutrition: Eating out can be kinda scary. You, as a consumer, have no idea what is being put into the food being prepared. With all the preservative and chemicals in prepared food, you get a nice cocktail dropping into you stomach. Now the government has approved all these additives, but they also approved cigarettes too. When you cook your own food, you have the option on knowing that goes into the dish. it's just a simple fact, real food is going to be better for you than lab created food stuff. You will also be dealing with fresher products, and fresh food makes a huge difference in taste. For the college guys, which is better for the body, smoking pot ot smoking crystal meth? Kind of a no-brainer.
3) Chicks: Nothing says sexy like man that can cook. Sure you can take a girl out to dinner, or you can stun her by cooking something special for her. Sure it's the same recipe you've cooked for dozens of other girls, but I really don't think she'll care. My dad learned how to make a Lasagna when he was dating. And he made lots of Lasagna. I like Chicken Kiev with roasted rosemary potatoes and some string beans. And the most important thing, you don't have to try and coax her back to your apartment afterward.
4) Pride: The feeling that you accomplished something. Taking that first bite, and tasting done right. Oh, it won't always be that way, but the failures make the successes that much sweeter. There's a reason why it is called the Joy of Cooking. Impress you friends, impress your family. I think guys that can cook hold themselves a little straighter, with their heads a little higher. I may not be able to win in a fist fight, but I make a MEAN Mac and Cheese.
So, what ever your reasons are, cook. Having this knowledge and skill set will change you, and most likely into a better person. At the very least it is a survival trait when the apocalypse comes.
"We can't kill him, he knows how to braise a duck."
D.Vasquez
Here are my reason why every guy should learn how to cook.
1) Money: As noted above, all food cost money. When going out you are also paying someone to cook that food and for someone to give you the food. Save that money, make the food exactly how you want it, in the portions you want. With the money you, you can treat yourself to a really NICE dinner every now and then. OR if you are in college, you can buy more beer.
2) Nutrition: Eating out can be kinda scary. You, as a consumer, have no idea what is being put into the food being prepared. With all the preservative and chemicals in prepared food, you get a nice cocktail dropping into you stomach. Now the government has approved all these additives, but they also approved cigarettes too. When you cook your own food, you have the option on knowing that goes into the dish. it's just a simple fact, real food is going to be better for you than lab created food stuff. You will also be dealing with fresher products, and fresh food makes a huge difference in taste. For the college guys, which is better for the body, smoking pot ot smoking crystal meth? Kind of a no-brainer.
3) Chicks: Nothing says sexy like man that can cook. Sure you can take a girl out to dinner, or you can stun her by cooking something special for her. Sure it's the same recipe you've cooked for dozens of other girls, but I really don't think she'll care. My dad learned how to make a Lasagna when he was dating. And he made lots of Lasagna. I like Chicken Kiev with roasted rosemary potatoes and some string beans. And the most important thing, you don't have to try and coax her back to your apartment afterward.
4) Pride: The feeling that you accomplished something. Taking that first bite, and tasting done right. Oh, it won't always be that way, but the failures make the successes that much sweeter. There's a reason why it is called the Joy of Cooking. Impress you friends, impress your family. I think guys that can cook hold themselves a little straighter, with their heads a little higher. I may not be able to win in a fist fight, but I make a MEAN Mac and Cheese.
So, what ever your reasons are, cook. Having this knowledge and skill set will change you, and most likely into a better person. At the very least it is a survival trait when the apocalypse comes.
"We can't kill him, he knows how to braise a duck."
D.Vasquez
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)