Mates who cook

[Leslie w]

My husband, although great in many things, knows nothing about cooking, he couldn't boil water without directions. I know CL did an article on how to cope with a spouse in the kitchen and I was wondering if your spouses or mates like to cook. If they do, would you prefer to cook with or without them? While we have a lot of mutual interests I personally love having the kitchen to myself. No one to answer to, no one to get in the way.

[Chefmom]

Oh goodness, put them to work! I do enjoy having Hubby there, someone to talk to and all. Plus, when the hormones are raging I get testy about how everyone sits on their bottoms and I work, and work.

But...definitely make them do something. Even the most incompetent mate can stir while you chop, run and get something, put things away, clean after you etc.

I love having the kitchen to myself, but when trying to put everything on the table in a set amount of time it's nice for someone to be there to clean off the table, set the table, get drinks ready etc. My kids are getting older, and so they will do these things, but everyone knows if you're in the kitchen, you will listen to Chef Mom!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

One night hubbie "made dinner" (with the telephone) and my son said that he was "the best Chef" hehehehhhe, I told him that I am the Chef and Dad is only the front end manager.

hehhehehehehehehe

Tami

[Leslie w]

On most days, after a good meal my husband will ask me if I want him to clean up the kitchen or put the kids to bed. And since I'm with the kids all day, they're 1 and 2yrs old, I'd rather have him put them to bed. That gives me a chance to crank the music and get the cleaning done. Something I'm anal about anyway! Besides, he's not around when I cook. If he's not at work he's busy on some project for the house or keeping the kids at bay.



[This message has been edited by Leslie w (edited 02-09-2001).]

[Kerri]

I'm a kitchen nazi! I don't like any help cooking or cleaning. Other people always do stuff wrong so it is just better if I don't have help. I know that I am a little control freakish with this, but I can't help it. Sometimes, if I am tired, I will have my husband clean or set the table, but for me I just feel like I need to finish what I started. Isn't that wierd? He doesn't really have an interest in cooking and if he does cook he uses the rule "the more fate, the better" and since he doesn't have to worry about his weight and I do, it is just better that he doesn't cook.

[Kristi]

My husband knows absolutely nothing about cooking and is not interested in it, although he does enjoy occasionally helping me out (especially if we've opened up a bottle of wine and plan to have a relaxing evening). I really wish he was more interested in cooking...that would be nice to share that passion with him. Plus I think men that cook are extremely sexy!

[SandyM]

My husband isn't a cooker. When I'm away for the weekend, he eats cereal, PB&J, frozen pizza, or anything I've prepared for him ahead of time.

On the flipside (and I wouldn't trade this for anything), when I cook, he cleans up - going even as far as to kick me out of the kitchen. We had overnight guests and he ordered us out of the kitchen after dinner so he could clean up. My best friend looked at me and said "How the heck did you do that?" She couldn't believe it.

[ChrisF]

Even though my husband doesn't "love" to cook the way I do, I feel lucky that he knows how to cook, and often feels adventurous in trying new recipes. One of our first dates was when he invited me over to his apartment and cooked for dinner - Yosenabe (a Japanese dish) with yellowtail that he had caught. It was delicious and I asked him how he knew the recipe for this great meal. He remarked "I looked it up in a cookbook--cooking isn't brain surgery!!" LOL! I remember thinking "hmmmmm, this guy has potential....!"
Last night, he cooked (from Sunset) an orzo dish with tomatoes, peppers, basil, and feta.
Not low-fat---but I love his dinner surprises anyway!!

[Vanessa]

My husband can cook but since we married he "forgot". He is in charge of cooking BBQ and he is great in the kitchem as I can create a mess and he cleans up specially if we are mins before guests arrive he can straighten the kitchen pretty fast.
He is in charge of cooking beef since I cannot eat it and I heard through friends he is a great baker etc. I have not seen thoose skills much. Truly when I have guests I prefer to be my myself cooking but I don't mind if he helps a bit unless I am stressed and rushed trying a new recipe or running late for dinner guests then I rather be alone.

[Gina O]

My SO doesn't cook at all. When he lived alone he nearly exsisted on steamed frozen veggies until I introduced him to Healthy Choice meals! He will do a slicing or mixing job under my direction but that is it. The good part is that he always helps with clean up. Gina

[lsdesign]

My DH makes excellent hummus. He was quite a cook in his batchelor days, but his idea of cooking was making a giant pot of something and eating it all week long. One year ago he had to be Mr. Mom for 3 months while I was away working in another state. I'd get calls at work, "Where is the such and such a pan"?
Do you think the kids ate the same thing for a week, NOT!

[Kelli Kerrigan]

What a subject for me!!! 13 months ago my SO moved in and also moved into my kitchen.(EGADS! what DID I do???)He's worked at a four star restaurant, so he knows what he's doing. But before some of you go drooling about this, just wait. (I'm dreaming of taking over my kitchen again) While I'm a very good cook I have never tried to be gourmet. Good CL meals are great for me! If there happens to be enough to last half a week for leftovers-- GREAT! NOT the SO! He mostly experiments and makes all his own stock...not bad but he cooks it down for a ton of hours. A 1/2 cup of sauce could take him all day to make. When he does buy and make dinner, it is only enough for that meal. Cleaning habits aren't that wonderful, but getting better. (Do restaurants hire maids to go after these 'chefs'?) Oh! and another thing....I can not stand the smell of grease. He uses it all the time and at high temps. I keep cleaning the nice maple cabinets with Murphys oil soap, gaging, and turning on fans. I must be more of a control freak than I thought. I'll take the guy who can't boil water and have him take me out to eat as a trade off.
Where, oh where has my OWN kitchen gone???

[Lynn B]

Fun thread! Thanks!

My DH isn't really much of a "cook" (although he can certainly fend for himself in the kitchen and would NEVER go hungry!!!) - but he is an excellent cleaner-upper! Washes the pots & pans better than I do (although he could pay a LITTLE MORE attention to the stovetop...) http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Lynn

[kwormann]

Mine enjoys cooking, especially being creative. It is fun for a night off, but I wouldnt want to give up the job full time! He is good about cleaning up when I cook http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Kim

[cryskie]

My DH helps me out in the kitchen. I tend to take over, since I love to cook, but if he gets home first he'll start dinner. I usually put him to work on the not-so-fun stuff ("honey, could you boil some pasta?" or "I'm going to need some cheese grated" or "will you slice some french bread?") He makes the best scrambled eggs ever, and makes excellent enchiladas (his mom's recipe), smoothies, waffles, and the BEST peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (just the right amount of each http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif). He also cleans up a lot of the time, and sometimes will not let me help. It's great. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Crystal

[MrsReber]

Vanessa, your DH sounds just like mine! Where did that man go? The one who used to make me breakfast before we got married? He'd make pancakes and french toast. Sigh. Now I make just about all the food because "you're so much better at it than I am" (the old flattery technique). He CAN cook, he just chooses not to and acts like he doesn't know how. When he was living by himself, he'd order out a few times a week or eat a can of beans or a bowl of cereal for dinner. He still does this if I am not around for dinner. Now when I make pancakes or french toast, he likes to tell me that he "taught" me how to make breakfast. Yeah, okay dear. If you say so http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/rolleyes.gif

[donleyk]

My DH has come a long way from sandwiches and campbell soups from when we first got married. He is pretty creative as long as I am there telling him where the spices are. Very good at rubs and marinades. Tends to get fish a little over-done, tho. I just try to make those yummy noises so he'll continue to try! He is happy to chop while I stir-fry and he, thankfully, is the dish doing dude!

[lorilei]

I really count myself lucky! My husband and I take turns cooking dinner during the week (he cooks when I'm busy, and I cook when I can).
We both really enjoy the process; in fact, we've started a wonderful little ritual of cooking TOGETHER on Saturday afternoons. We grocery shop for ingredients, then come home, drink wine and cook a great big meal for the two of us (usually something more complex than we can swing during the week, and then something yummy for dessert). It's great bonding time. We both find that cooking together is really relaxing, and it's fun to explore new recipes and tastes together! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Ah... he also does dishes, which is a complete Godsend!

[phantomcg]

Oh how I wish that my DH was at all interested in cooking or trying out new foods. He can cook, but he has no interest in it. He would happily eat cold turkey sandwiches for a week (and has). His mom is not a bad cook, but she is a very predictable cook if that makes sense. From the stories that Jeff tells of growing up, the couple of times that his mom tried to get inventive the food was so bad that the dog would not eat it (you should hear his family talk about "salmon surprise" from 20 odd years ago).

Cheryl

[SusanD]

My hubby's a pretty good cook...when he wants to be that is! He's in charge of the grilling (which we do almost every night in the summer), I'm not allowed anywhere near the million-dollar grill that takes up half our patio. Plus he makes a mean breakfast - blueberry pancakes & french toast are his specialties. I do the rest...which is fine with me because on the rare occasions that he does make dinner he somehow manages to use every single pot, pan, bowl and utensil I own, and the kitchen looks like a tornado went through it. He's always willing to help when I ask, though, and of course always willing to dial that phone when neither of us is in the mood to cook or clean up! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by SusanD (edited 02-07-2001).]

[Vanessa]

MRSREBER:
I was laughing because your hubby does sound like mine. He walked in and then said"are you at the BB talking about us husbands?
Yes I do get all that "but honey you are such a great cook"....
I told him its good I love to cook and if I am not here what will he do? He said that he will get take out. I must say he in need will not starve! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gifGreat post I have enjoyed reading it!

[Jessica]

My husband certainly knows how to cook but I think I am a lot more comfortable in the kitchen, and so he leaves it to me. I also like to cook and I think it is a chore to him. I have been sick lately and he has made pasta and such, but the whole creative process of poking through recipes and trying things does not seem to interest him. If I ask, he will chop veggies or something for me. I don't mind, though. He is always willing to do dishes and he does all the laundry.
Plus, he thanks me for every single meal I prepare, whether it is a four-course extravaganza or just heating up leftover soup. I think that is really sweet. He also toasts me, even if it is just with a glass of orange juice.

[This message has been edited by Jessica (edited 02-07-2001).]

[KellyD]

My husband is a fabulous cook! My friends always whine about how great my hubby is, but this is one area that really raises their volume! The rule in our house is whoever cooks, DOES NOT clean up! (If we order out, we argue about who actually did the "cooking" - who called, or who paid!) I definitely do most of the weekday cooking (especially since we've been taking off the holiday lbs and I've been using CL recipes almost exclusively), and he does most of the dishes. But on weekends, he'll plan meals, and does some amazing things. What's really amazing though is, I'm a great cook, but I'm a recipe follower - he just starts with a bunch of ingredients that looked good to him, and ends up with a fabulous meal. I do have to say that watching Emeril has been a good influence on him. It gives him great ideas - and has made him more fearless. I loved reading about all of your DHs though!

[hlao23]

My DH and I do not cook well together at all. He stresses me out because he refuses to measure ANYTHING and he gets mad at me because I'm bossy (I'm pretty bossy anyway but I tend to forget to cushion it with "please" and "thank you" when I cook http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif).

He can cook pretty well but he's not a planner (meal-wise) and since I do the grocery shopping. . .

[Gail]

My husband, like many here, likes to barbecue-- and he's really terrific with it, too, doing amazing things with seafood in particular. If you ask him about cooking, he'll say "I'm strictly a short-order cook," meaning he handles eggs, waffles, pancakes and quick things on the grill. Every so often he'll offer to help me, or will try to learn a new cooking skill. Now and then, we'll make chili together or he'll make guacamole. Fun as this is, he's unfortunately got the sort of job which requires his attention 25 hours a day and doesn't leave much time.



[This message has been edited by Gail (edited 02-07-2001).]

[Beth]

My DH says he's the kitchen technician and I'm the cook, but he does make weekend pancakes and does some baking (made a carrot cake one birthday and makes a great French Apple Tart). He'll handle the grill and helps out with other things. He even joins in, and may take over, with canning and pickling.

He once worked in the galley of a ship, so he's very good about chopping and slicing and can handle just about anything with a recipe. Being the technician, he can follow what's written pretty well. I tend to make things up, stray from what's written , cook by feel more. He's even picked up on a couple of those.

[BeckyM]

My husband sounds like some of the others, in that he can fend for himself, but he really has no interest in cooking. If left to his own devices, he'll either heat up frozen meals or open a can of soup. He has cooked dinner for me a couple of times when I've been really late at work though, and that is especially nice since I know he doesn't really enjoy it. Those times he actually made pasta and cooked up some vegetables to go in the tomato sauce! I was impressed!

I really enjoy cooking, so I don't mind that he doesn't like to help. He will help with the menial stuff if I ask him to, but usually I just let him relax while I'm cooking, because he always does the dishes! To me, that is a GREAT trade-off, because then I can relax a bit after dinner.

Every once in a while I wish my husband liked to cook, because it does sound romantic to do together, but I mostly enjoy having my kitchen to myself. Cooking is something I can do to relax, so I like being able to do it my way without worrying about someone else's preferences. And of course my husband ALWAYS expresses his appreciation for the time I spend cooking, so I feel good about our "division of labor".

[MrsReber]

Waah, I have to cook and clean up. On occasion, DH will clean up for me, but very rarely. I have tried leaving the dishes, but they don't seem to go away. Oh well, he does always take care of the garbage and recycling.

I should clarify that he has to cook the things that I don't like- seafood and venison steaks. And he is the bbq master, of course.

Yes, cooking together does sound wonderful, but it's just as well he's not in the kitchen. If he sees any lowfat ingredients, he just has to say something. He swears he can tell if it's regular or lowfat milk in the mashed potatoes- he only mentions this when he actually sees me with the carton of 1% milk in my hands.

[luv2cook]

Hubby has cooked exactly two meals in 9 years all by himself. BUT he does great eggs, does great on the grill (most of the time) and does cleanup. He will slice something if I ask and does a great job at it.

When I go away for the weekend, he usually orders pizza and will eat a "tuna surprise." We have at times been in the cocina together and it's worked out well but he's pretty critical of my prepping/cooking techniques - says I'm messy marvin, etc., which really pis*es me off. That's usually about the point I tell him to either get out or he can finish the meal if he thinks he can do it better than me and then he hangs his head in shame.

[browneye]

My hubby loves to cook with me, like Lorelei's. On weekends we always choose a nice meal to prepare and share wine and talk talk talk..
But what I really wanted to share was this: my two teenage sons rarely appear in the kitchen with us unless is it time to eat, but last summer when we were on vacation in a beautiful mountain house with an open kitchen/living area, I put each one to work, cutting salad ingredients, slicing bread and tomatoes, etc. To my surprise, they both really enjoyed being part of the action,and we talked and laughed through the entire prep.The dinner tasted even better to them. The next night they were back to help more. It was most memorable, really!

[lighthog]

Being one of the husbands you ladies are referring to, I would like to give my perspective on this topic. First, realize that I do the major portion of the clean-up and have done so since our marriage. Love to clean, very particular about the kitchen being perfect. Until recently tho, cooking has been intimidating. Mincing, dicing, chopping, cubing, smashing, grinding.... who could cope with all the variety of prepping?
Especially, with a perfectionist attitude.God forbid a hunk of something was too big or small.
But one day I tried to prepare an omelette.
To my surprise it was quite good, even got the flipping down to an art. Then one day I saw the TV show IRON CHEF. Boy was I impressed , and hooked." Honey can I help you cook?" Got to the point that I tend to take over on some recipes. Now I am being quite creative and artistic and love it. My wife and I work pretty well together and she is very appreciative of my help.I still clean up, but we do share that duty more. Moral of the story is: If you want hubby to do more ask him to join you in watching Iron chef or some similar show. he should be fascinated by the action and may just try to help.Only drawback, from my wife's point of view is that I insist she call me Iron Chef.(kidding)

[LaraW]

My husband and I love to cook together. He has never been afraid of cooking - did pretty well in college, and learned to cook over a real fire in scouts. Probably, though, he would not be as into it if I was not dragging him along, whether he wanted to come or not. We eat dinner together every day, but we have made a new-years resolution that once a month we turn off the phone and have a really nice dinner that we have planned and spend some quality time together. Even though it is only Feb, we have done this 5 times - October for our 2nd anniversary, Nov for T'giving and December for Christmas. We decided it was too fun to stop just because there were no more holidays.

We had our nice dinner last night - sage rubbed pork roast cooked with apple juice, onions, and apples, herbed basmati rice, and apple glazed carrots. And mint brownies for dessert. YUMMY!! All CL recipes too!

[scnewton]

My hubby is the reason I enjoy cooking! I grew up with a mother that enjoyed having the kitchen to herself so she didn't like "little helpers."

If it wasn't for my hubby, I would probably be a sandwich eater every night.

I also have to thank CL. Their recipes are great for novices like me!

[conniekaye]

My husband does not do any cooking, but he is the best clean up crew! I work full time, we don't have children, so when I get home and want to cook, I treasure the time to think and be quiet. He completely respects that, of course.