bearisgray

What do you consider "cooking"

Meal planning
shopping
Food prep - meats, vegetables, fruits - raw ingredients
serving
Clean-up

What do you consider "baking ?

I usually think of it as something that involves flour - cookies, breads

I guess I usually think of " cooking" is during the time that heat is involved.

Your thoughts?

patricej

i consider cooking and baking as things i wish i could "out-source"
along with all other categories of housework.

nlgh

PatriceJ, I wish the same thing, then I could have more time for my hobbies. For me, actually, cooking starts with doing the prep work for a meal or for baking. Baking is anything I cook in an oven. I include cooking on a grill.

Iceblossom

You go Patrice!

For us "shopping" is a separate stage -- sort of like fabric collecting, once you have a collection you make something out of it. We've always viewed shopping as a necessary but reasonably enjoyable "us" time. Not to say we don't go solo too. But shopping usually involves leaving the house, and ends when groceries are put away.

I often do quite a bit of prep work as I'm unpacking, but for me cooking begins when I have to start chopping or washing stuff or otherwise using some sort of pan.

I've found in my times of limited vision and depression that I am better off spending money by pre-prepped vegies and things like grated cheese or sliced mushrooms. I used to do the all of that sort of thing, but now I'm generally worn out just by the shopping not including the chopping!

I don't get to bake much I used to do something, usually bread, maybe something sweeter at least weekly for a long time (when my oven broke maybe 10 years back at the old house??). Even when neither of us were eating the goodies, we used to send them to the hubby's work. Now that we have a working oven and a new job, I might be able to do that again and get some goodies out of my system! I love baking and still watch Great British Baking Show and others, but me and carbs just don't get along so much any more.

Onebyone

I use to turn my nose up at pre shredded cheese and ready made sauces, and bakery desserts. Not any more. I raised my kids with good from scratch meals, gave them a good start to know what good food is. Now I am okay with fast and easy for myself and my husband just wants food of any kind.

Stitchnripper

Oh well, I don't have a stash and I like to cook. I cook the evening meal, supper, dinner, whatever anyone calls it. I cook it because I like to eat it. I don't want to keep eating processed foods or go out and eat more processed foods. Quilting isn't my life. It is a hobby I enjoy when the mojo is there.

I prefer things in their natural state if possible. I don't mind dicing, mincing, etc. There are plenty of easy meals with minimal prep and equipment. I go to a grocery story usually every day. I think "what do I feel like eating tonight" and do that. Mr stitchnripper is very agreeable and we enjoy our meal.

with just a bit of planning nothing takes all that long and one thing can happen while another one is happening, such as preheating oven or bringing water to a boil while getting other things ready. Mr. stitchnripper cleans up.

I know I am an anomaly - my quilting friends tease me.

SusieQOH

As you may know ( I've mentioned it a lot), my husband is the cook of the house. He loves grocery shopping, making meals, trying new things, and is a fabulous cook.
I don't really like to cook. My Mom was also a fab cook but didn't teach us how. Actually my husband taught me how!!!
So I can cook but I don't for the above reasons. Yes, I know I'm lucky!
I do love to bake but since the kids grew up I don't bake too often anymore.

My running joke is that I married my mother hahaha

bearisgray

Sometimes deciding what to make is the most difficult part of the process.

"Whatever you mant to make, dear." Is not helpful.

How about - NOTHING!- because that is what I really want to make/fix!!!

I will have to say after 64 years that he has gotten a bit more flexible about meals. He even cooks now and then.

He will do some of the peeling and chopping- but we do not agree on how it should be done. So "not commenting" while the other one is doing whatever is a good thing.

Stovetop Stuffing and instant mashed potatoes have become my friends.

Onebyone

I do most of the cooking of all foods in the air fryer. I splurged on one that broils, roasts, bakes, proofs, reheats, preheats, dries, frozen, and warms. I love that thing. The brand I have is Corsori. Also I have the electric cupcake maker. It bakes perfect muffins and cupcakes in about 9 min. I love the new small appliances. Between these and my crockpot I rarely use my kitchen oven.

aashley333

My game changer has been frozen vegetables. No more cleaning out vegetable drawer of mushy old stuff. Rural living prohibits just going out for drive thru, which I only do under duress. My cooking is better and faster than fast food.
My newest favorite frozen is the Fajita Vegetables at HEB. Basically chopped onion, green and red bell peppers. 1/2 a bag at a time works great in most meals.