I am grateful that I know how to cook for myself, though I’ve not done so, over the last 10 years, as much as I used to in the 70's, 80’s and 90’s.
I've had to cook for myself since my Mom died in 1990 (In addition to relying on fast food, and frozen dinners, on occasion).
COOKING LIKE MAD 1: A Mother is a Man's Best Friend...
My first adventures in cooking occurred as a teen when I learned to scramble a truly MEAN egg (Actually three) sandwich for my breakfast, progressing to fixing my own Mac and cheese/tomato concoctions, and other things.
Of course I became expert at putting together peanut butter sandwiches, tuna sandwiches, & various lunch meat sandwiches and assorted other delicacies essential for a future bachelor’s very survival.
In 1995 a co-worker gave me a basic recipe for a rice and ground beef meal and 1 for fixing a Pot Roast.
God! Was I in heaven, or what? Chef Kiril was in his element! ;-D
Soon I was improvising additions to the 1st recipe and even to my Macaroni meals, and then buying my first crock pot. I also started buying various cookbooks hoping to expand my meal horizons.
In recent years I've mastered the Smoothie Machine, the Waffle Maker and a few other gadgets as well and I still have to explore those cookbooks!
After all, a man's gotta eat and if he lives alone he's gotta continually learn to cook for himself!
Because my income wasn’t the greatest and I had lots of bills and, later I spent so much of each day commuting to and from work, I let myself believe I didn’t have time to cook home meals, even with my Crock Pots.
As one might expect my weight went from a steady 178 to as high as 207lbs, earlier this year. I convinced myself that, even when I ate out, at my favorite Fast food places, I chose healthy options.
I am grateful for my reasonably good health (Exercise at the gym, and Physical Therapist from Jan. to May helped), and for the fact that the last 3 months of preparing, then moving to Houston, meant that I ate less, and more at home, and I now weigh 187lbs..
I am grateful for the chance to start fresh in Texas, and that includes the chance to finally explore my cookbooks, and use my Crock Pots and other gadgets, again but, for the moment I still have to watch my spending on groceries until I get a job.
I am grateful to my love of food, and interest in cooking for being the inspiration for some of my best, most amusing, entertaining, and thought provoking, writing over the years.
In the Kitchen, and Dining Out
It is my goal to return to cooking at home as much as I used to when my Mom was alive, and in the 90's. :-D
The subject of food and cooking is near and dear to my heart as well. While I am sorry you have not received the cooking instruction needed to learn to make some simple meals, I am happy for you that your co-worker came to your rescue!
Cookbooks and kitchen gadgets are fine, but in my opinion, those are like the ipad, the itouch, the iphone, the kindle, etc. In other words, they're great to have, but they're extras.
At the very core should be a natural desire to cook and learn how to manipulate food in its finest juices and in various forms. A solid frying pan, skillet, and griddle should do you just fine.
I know you have it in you to succeed in anything that you set your mind to! I know this will be a great cooking challenge for you.
Posted by: Amanda Socci | November 06, 2012 at 09:20 AM
I love to cook, and used to do more, years ago, just wish I'd saved more recipes than the few I've shared on this blog. :-D
I have an old frying pan, and 3 old pots of different sizes, not used in a while, and I think in need of replacement, as I can't clean them as good as used to.
Never have owned a griddle, electric or otherwise that I can remember.
I do have some baking pans, though.
Posted by: Kiril Kundurazieff | November 06, 2012 at 09:36 AM