I was talking to an old friend from school last night and the poor girl was complaining about the cooking she has to do, everyday. She works from home and is expecting a baby too, so I can very well imagine how tiring it must be!
Since I left home about 8 years ago, I’ve been living in hostels/PGs mostly, never really owning a kitchen. It was only 6 months before the wedding, when I moved in to the house we were hoping to call home ( and now do!), did I finally get one. So basically, as far as cooking was concerned, I could do maggi ( which Hosteller doesn’t know that!), some egg and chai. And that is about it.
But once I got the kitchen, I started experimenting with cooking, finally! I remember my mom used to keep urging me to learn, wherever I was, and I always replied that I’d get a cook. And my Mom would then patiently remind me that unless I know how things are done, I can’t guide the cook anyway…
Oh, but I am digressing. The point is. I. Now. Cook. Officially! Nothing fancy and all that, but lets just say I can put basic meals together. But more importantly, I enjoy it! That is really the point of this post.
You will often find me reading food blogs, checking out recipes on the internet, and trying out stuff. And that’s how I’ve learnt. For every ONE dish I need to make, I have about SIX recipes, where I add/subtract ingredients according to liking and the final recipe, I guess, is a mixture of all, and not really close to any one in particular ( I know it sounds crazy…)
I was surprised at my enthusiasm because I always thought I was the kind who’d probably hate cooking, or be clumsy in the kitchen. And then I figured. Part of the reason I enjoy cooking, is, that I am cooking because I want to, and not because I have to. And there lies a huge difference!
Right now, there are no “rules” in the house, so to speak. If I want, I cook, if I don’t feel like, the Boy promptly orders pizza or chinese or whatever food we’re feeling like, at that moment. Also, he cooks over the weekend. Either way, we have friends over or are invited someplace, so weekends are not an issue.
And I now know that I am thoroughly enjoying this cooking business. It relaxes me. I put on Worldspace and happily spend my time in the kitchen after I get back from work and its a lot of fun! But if the scenario was different, like my friend’s, for example, if I “had to” cook without fail, or feed a certain number of people on a daily basis, I think i’d be the first to run out and get a cook!
Since its just the Boy and me, the biggest advantage, I guess, is this. I don’t “worry” about experiments going haywire or not achieving the desired result at first go. Or feel bad about the rotis that still go wrong! Because my worth as a “woman”/ “wife” is not measured according to my culinary skills…
But hey, that makes it sound like I am a really bad cook! I assure you, is not the case, I am pretty decent. ( Danger: Modesty check please)
Err…right.
And now a colleague tells me he thinks I am anaemic. And no, it isn’t because of how thin fat I am, but some other doctor’s logic of his. And I realize, I have never tried cooking palak or methi at home as I don’t like them. Which is not very nice.
Pass on the recipes, will ya?
Posted in Here and There, Shaadi Life, Time Pass
