(no subject)

[violachic]

From the altfriday5:

1. Do you like to cook? If so, what?

No.

2. If you do like to cook, have you always or when did you start? If you don't like to cook, have you tried it without success or simply never gotten into it, or ...?

Both. There are a few things I can make successfully, and there are things I enjoy eating. I enjoy being nurturing to other people. But none of those equates liking cooking. Mostly, I've never gotten into it, and therefore can't do it often to real success. Its a vicious cycle, I'm well aware.

3. What's the most ambitious-for-you dish you've ever prepared? How'd it come out?

I've attempted falafel a couple of times, but its always come out like Fried Chickpea Stew. The most ambitious successful dish is probably the Jambalaya I made for my most recent birthday party.

4. Have there been fears, hesitations, or items of squeamishness you've struggled with in cooking?

Um. Yes?

5. If you could learn to prepare one food perfectly the way you like it every time, what would it be?

Makloube. Not that I've attempted it yet, but I'd love to be able to make it perfectly. Haven't gotten the chance yet.



The Questioner says: Don't forget your links!

Comments

[j00j.livejournal.com]

I find it easier to try new simpler/more experimental things on my own-- that way only I have to eat the results. On the other hand, more complicated/ambitious things are fun to try when cooking with friends-- that way the work and experience is shared, and you have more than one person's cooking knowledge to draw on. And it seems like with that Makloube recipe you'd want to do it with someone who's made it before, or else find a recipe written by someone used to working with recipes-- that one seems like it isn't. Which is not a bad thing-- it reminds me of some of my older relatives who even bake just by eyeballing measurements and throwing in a bit of this and that-- it's just that it's not very helpful to cooking n00bs.
Also, if you haven't already discovered this, curries and stir fries are pretty friendly dishes for beginners-- you throw things together, food happens. Assuming you have some knowledge of what spices work, etc. which is a bit trickier at first. Cookbooks can at least provide guidelines for this even if you don't follow the recipe (I often don't either because I'd rather do something a bit different, or because I don't have certain things).
I would gladly cook with you sometime when I'm in town. I am definitely not an expert, but I do enjoy cooking and trying things out. whereisjoy can probably attest that the results tend to be reasonably tasty. I cannot, however, be of much use with the Makloube, as I have never had it. It sounds good, though.

[themiddlestates.livejournal.com]

i like how your 'do you like to cook,' response is a flat no.

i was actually thinking of taking some cooking classes, or at least an occasional cooking class. i've been looking into it some.

[bibliofile.livejournal.com]

I know someone who took lessons from the Chinese grocery that used to be on Howard at Asbury, but I don't know where they moved to.

re: makluwa
Gotta love a recipe that uses begetabales.