So true what you say, Naomi, about cooking. I'm afraid we may represent the last generation of people who derive great pleasure from just doing it. Fortunately my children (like yours, I imagine) have inherited the cooking gene but all around me I see people in their 30s and 40s and much younger too of course, who simply don't understand the basics (which aren't exactly rocket science). And what remains of food journalism is pathetically enabling that ignorance. Canned beans are my chief bugbear right now (tell me, how much time does it take to cook up a pot of beans, serve half, and freeze the rest for next time?) but another problem is a product called gnocchi which I bought at a local supermarket, after seeing it listed over and over in NYT recipes and the like. I am here to report: Packaged gnocchi are just plain AWFUL. I believe they're touted as a gluten free alternative to pasta and GF is a huge market. Stop me from ranting!
Perfectionism and anxiety are big impediments to enjoying food and cooking. To find ingredients beautiful and interesting, products of many people's labour, is a daily anchor and reminder for me.
So true what you say, Naomi, about cooking. I'm afraid we may represent the last generation of people who derive great pleasure from just doing it. Fortunately my children (like yours, I imagine) have inherited the cooking gene but all around me I see people in their 30s and 40s and much younger too of course, who simply don't understand the basics (which aren't exactly rocket science). And what remains of food journalism is pathetically enabling that ignorance. Canned beans are my chief bugbear right now (tell me, how much time does it take to cook up a pot of beans, serve half, and freeze the rest for next time?) but another problem is a product called gnocchi which I bought at a local supermarket, after seeing it listed over and over in NYT recipes and the like. I am here to report: Packaged gnocchi are just plain AWFUL. I believe they're touted as a gluten free alternative to pasta and GF is a huge market. Stop me from ranting!
Perfectionism and anxiety are big impediments to enjoying food and cooking. To find ingredients beautiful and interesting, products of many people's labour, is a daily anchor and reminder for me.