Why do you enjoy cooking?

S

Smoky Brisket

100+ Posts
This forum is quickly surpassing "On The Field" as my most visited. Maybe it's because football season is over, or maybe it's because I really enjoy reading and sharing tips and recipes about cooking with yall.

It's clear after reading the threads that there are some people who get serious about cooking / grilling/ smoking. Why do yall enjoy cooking? What got you "into" it?

I'm not sure why I enjoy it. I just do. Making dinner is a great time for my wife and I to be in the same room and talk and have a drink. Both of us just really enjoy good food, so I look at it as a challenge to make something that tastes really good. I also think it's important to have a large enough "setlist" that you don't repeat things too often.

Sorry, this is kind of a Quacks post, but considering the focus of this forum, I thought it'd be best here.
 
For me, it's great to be able to make a night out of it. A day spent watching sports and smoking a brisket with beer is heaven for me.

Also, when I was little, I always loved days when my dad would grill and give me his little tips that I now use. Makes me feel like I am doing him proud.
 
I learned b/c I lived alone one summer and was hungry, then I got pretty good and started cooking for friends and my roomate once I moved.

It's also has really become relaxing for me, I listen to the radio and just go at it.

A new found enjoyment was this Christmas, being in the kitchen and doing most of the cooking, got me away from the family for a bit. I love 'em but everyone needs a brake every now and then, plus it helped out my mom, aunt, uncle and grandad who used to do all the cooking.
 
I think I get enjoyment out of people liking the food I make. I also find it pretty relaxing and fun to be able to cook with others or share recipes and all that. Besides that I just think it is fun and definitely cheaper than going out all the time. Luckily my boyfriend is also an incredible cook (what else could a gal want), so cooking is something we can share.
 
I started really trying to do "real" food once Baby M got old enough to eat normal meals. And I realized that my wife was in no mood to come home from work and do it. I still do some pretty simple and basic stuff for a lot of meals but there is some items that I put some effort into.
 
Well I guess I got most of my love for cooking from my mom. My mom learned from her mom, who was a wonderful cook from Louisiana.

I think I also got a lot from my brother who is a chef, that learned a lot from my Grandmother as well.

I think one of the reasons I enjoy cooking, is just the chance at being creative. My job really isn't very creative, so when I get home or on the weekends, it's sort of an outlet for me.
When I get home from work, I have to be doing something. I can't just sit around from 4:30 until i go to bed.

I absolutely love being in the kitchen. I love the smell of food cooking, tasting different flavors and experimenting with new things.
I've told my wife that whenever we can afford a bigger home or afford building one ourselves, the kitchen is going to be freaking HUGE.
I don't care if the house is 5000 sq ft. and we only have two bedrooms.

As someone said above, I enjoy the fact that people enjoy what I cook. And when i'm cooking, I don't want anyone in there with me. I want them to relax and enjoy themselves while I cook.
And the fact that what I make in my kitchen is as good as I can get at most restaurants.

Oh, and last but not least. It's a good excuse to drink without looking like a lush.
"Hey, I'm cooking.. I've got a reason."
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I can't paint.

I can't play a musical instrument.

I don't have time to write the way I'd like to.

Cooking is my creative outlet. I love looking around the house, seeing what we have, and coming up with something. My wife continues to be amazed that I can look at a random assortment of foods, and come up with an idea to turn them into a meal, with no recipe to guide me. I get to meander around, put twists on things, and get creative as hell.

And, I really do enjoy it when people appreciate what I make for them. When my neighbor talked about visiting a local "foodie" website discussion group, and after participating in a thread about the best local BBQ, said that, after thinking about all the places listed, his favorite brisket was actually MINE, that made the old chest puff out just a little bit.

When my daughter wants to watch me cook, and explain things to her, and then tells me "daddy, this is SO good. You are the BEST cook," my head gets all swole up, too.

Some of it also comes from my culture -- my background is mexican and coonass, and food plays a central role in both cultures. We gather around it, we talk about it, we take pride in it. Hell, I go fishing sometimes with pescado rojo (who happens to be pure coonass), and the entire drive, all we talk about is different meals we've cooked, and ideas for improving them, techniques, etc. We talk about how neither one of us is a baker -- baking is a science, and requires precise measurements and timing. Cooking, however, is an art -- it is forgiving of variations, and innovation. And we end up hungry as hell by the time we make it to Cooper's for our pre-fishing lunch.

Happiness is a barbecue with family and friends. Or a crawfish boil. Or a tamalada.
 
"Some of it also comes from my culture -- my background is mexican and coonass, and food plays a central role in both cultures. We gather around it, we talk about it, we take pride in it."

Yeah, my mom's side is all coon-*** and my dad's side is German. (I guess I'm destined to throw a few back).
We were always in the kitchen when I was little.. always.

Has anyone seen the movie, "Tortilla Soup?"
I thought it was fantastic, and mostly because of all the cooking...

Man, he had a nice kitchen.
 
I have to add that much of my love of cooking also probably comes from my mother and grandmother. They are amazing cooks and I have learned alot from them over the years.
 
On another note, my mom passed away almost 2 years ago. (Jan 26th 05).

I think cooking, and using many of her recipes keeps me close to her.
 
I learned to cook so I could get laid.

Also, I've worked around some quality chefs, and learned a lot from them. I try to make a point of creating a nice dinner on the weekends since we're always tired during the week, and don't have enough time for a proper meal.
 
I started in the kitchen slicing and dicing things for my mom. She cooked a lot of Chinese food and needed ingredients in small chunks. I liked the sensation of cutting into foods with a knife I just sharpened.
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During college, I had to do something with the ingredients I cut, so I learned how to cook. It was fun experimenting, trying to replicate restaurant foods, and seeing my friends enjoy the food I made.

Nowadays, I cook very simple foods - lots of fish, brown rice or buckwheat noodles and veggies. It's healthy and cheaper than eating out. But when the girlfriend visits, or around holidays when my sister needs help in the kitchen, I revert back to my gourmet ways.
 
I enjoy cooking because that is the one time my wife and kids will leave me the hell alone. If I sit down to watch TV, listen to music or play my guitar, someone is also wanting something, usually my wife. However, when I'm in the kitchen, they leave me the hell alone. I like that.
 
It's simple...If I cook, my wife does the dishes. If my wife cooks, I have to do the dishes. I would much rather get the dishes dirty than have to clean them.
 
It is fun and a great way to interact with friends, family and the kids. I also really like sharing what I cook and it is nice when people are genuinely pleased with a creation you made.
 
I love to experiment when cooking for myself and my girlfriend. Its like a science project or something. I got it from my dad because we hunt and fish for all our meat, and growing up eating fresh mahi, tuna and snapper really spoiled me. I really love hosting a big fish fry or crawfish boil to see how much people like it. Also, its a great way to go on a cheap date that is equal to a very expensive dinner in a woman's mind.

This board definately kicks ***, I barely posted anywhere and then this came up.
 
My Dad did a lot of the cooking at my house because he worked on the railroad was at home at times that was good for cooking. In his early life he "shipped" out on sailing boats and learned to cook and sew because of the need to repair the sails. So, I come from a family where the Dad did some of cooking so I carry it on, with a lot of on line recipes beside the best pecan pie that has ever been had in Texas. Sorry, famliy recipe.
 
Cooking and grilling are my creative outlets. I love the chopping and mixing and getting my hands dirty. It is like therapy for me. Plus, I get to drink while I cook!

I used to grab recipes from a poster on this board. luvUTmen where ever you are, thanks!
 
My girlfriend tells people that I like to cook. I correct her by saying that I don't like to cook, I like to eat good food and she can't make it and who could afford to eat out all the time so I do the cooking.
 
Multiple.
First & foremost, because if I want food that ---->I<---- truly like, then I have to cook it & prepare it the way I like it. Nobody to blame but me. Of course, that was easy enough when I was a single guy. Now that I'm married with kids, I have to satisfy multiple people. That sorta sucks. & My wife ******* about the excessive cholesterol & sugary stuff I eat in conjunction without enough veggies (my first wife was a sucka for green beans in a can & we all know the friggin' can is better for you). But she did love everything I ever cooked & was into Sushi (can't say the same for my wife who is allergic to bell peppers & onions & doesn't like cooked tomatoes other than a sauce version, etc).

Secondly, I'm like a lot of you - it's your chance to play rock star for a moment & get the adulation of your mealtime fans.

I learned a wide variety of things to make that went well with a candle lit dinner; I have found that it's quite easy to get the ladies if you are a guy who can cook & set a nice table.

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