When you cook, is every meal a feast?

[Marthe48]

As I was cooking my meal today, I wondered if others fuss on the details like I do, even if the meal is just for me? It'll be fun to see your comments.

[Srkdqltr]

1. Good God no.

After almost 60 years of marriage many nights are Tont Pacos Hungarian hot dogs and salad. Or some other fast thing.
I'm really tired of cooking fancy or not.

[Marthe48]

2. I try to cook enough to last a few days

I've cooked at least 60 years, and that part is tiresome. I find myself calculating how many dishes I'm going to end up washing, so whatever I cook has to be worth the effort lol

[Srkdqltr]

3. Absolutely.

[Backseat Driver]

6. +1 - Too bad I still grocery shop w/good intentions.

These day's I'm the DH's consultant not the chef! Speaking of which, better look in the freezer!

[Polly Hennessey]

4. Some nights are total disaster. Always edible but not great.

[Ocelot II]

5. If it's marginally edible it's fine with me.

I don't bother with anything fancy if I'm the only one eating it, which is almost always the case.

[rsdsharp]

7. Yes. . . and no. I used to cook about 95% of our meals.

I’m no longer able to do that, and my wife has taken over the cooking. These days, the only time I really get involved is for major occasions — Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, etc.

So now, every meal I cook (or to which I provide major input) is a feast. Before that, no. Some were, but some were as simple as hamburgers or a rotisserie chicken.

[multigraincracker]

8. I try to eat healthy and simply.

My motto is
Eat to live
Don’t live to eat

I’m not a “foodie”.

[ggma]

9. I worked at Head Start for many years...

And had incorporated the nutrition values I learned there:

Meat/protein
2 veggies/not too much starch
fruit/fruit juice
dairy
bread

Sounds complicated but it really wasn't if you think about the average dinner menu in most homes.

Kids and grandkids grow up and I had no need to prepare all that food for any one meal anymore, especially since the heart and high blood pressure meds changed my appetite. Meals are very plain and simple now.

BUT! I do get inspired to try new things by this group and I check in often, so don't change!

gg

[slightlv]

10. I try...

I've begun experimenting punching things up by cooking with wine when appropriate... I experiment with herbs and spices. I take special care in plating the food.

Funny thing is, it's all lost on hubby... (LOL) It's food... it's edible... it fills the hole in his stomach.. and it tastes good. That's really all he cares about. So why do I do it? Because I try to imbue the food with magic of the season and the magic of love. At our age, it's all I got...

[peacefreak2.0]

11. Good heavens, no!

A lot of the time it’s weirdly inspired combinations coupled with holy moley, I made that!?! Damn. You should have written it down. 😄

[Marthe48]

12. Sounds like my meals

I made dinner today, combination of what I had on hand, no recipe.

[Callalily]

13. Yes, I cook 99% of our meals.

I plan a weeks worth of menus ahead of time before I head to the grocery story. Of course take inventory of freezer and pantry beforehand. I'm always trying new recipes.

[sinkingfeeling]

14. No. I try new recipes, but cooking bores me.

[Marthe48]

17. Is cooking easy for you?

Maybe it isn't interesting because you can do it?

[progree]

15. No, but today I made scrambled eggs that came out super-duper wonderful

I'm so happy to have something come out like the recipe hypes. Fluffy and cooked just right and on and on

https://bellyfull.net/the-best-scrambled-eggs/

I also read https://www.pillsbury.com/everyday-eats/breakfast-brunch/how-to-make-scrambled-eggs

I've been sick and homebound for 2 months and ate whatever crap was in the basement. In the last 3 weeks I've been better and for some reason I've become much more interested in food, and started using a grocery delivery service (I'm happy with ShipT). Fruit drives me wild (before it was just fruit), and have started trying cooking new things.

An Instant Pot is on the way, so will be interesting to see how I do with that.

Yes, I just cook for myself.

[Marthe48]

16. Glad you are feeling better

I stayed in during the Covid lockdown, and learned to have things on hand. I was sick for a few weeks in Spring of 2022, had no appetite. I was glad when I started wanting to eat again.

Enjoy the Instant Pot

[mike_c]

18. most definitely not, lol

When I cook for myself alone I usually go for super easy.

[chowmama]

19. No way in hell is that even possible

I work full time and DH doesn't cook. He also can only be persuaded to eat leftovers once. 1-2 nights a week, I get home pretty late, around 7PM. 2-3 nights, I get home closer to 6. I usually have a day off during the week (my schedule is 10+ hour days) and work half a day every other Saturday. So, there's simply no time.

What this means for meal planning is that every weekend is devoted to food. I plan for the week and, ideally, shop. On working Saturdays, I may shop Sunday. The Sunday meal is large, can approximate a feast, and will supply one day's leftovers - any after that is used for my breakfasts or is somehow preserved to make another appearance in a few months. Monday is always a 6ish day, so I can throw together a casserole or the like, which also makes an appearance later in the week. The remaining two days have to be fast, so burgers, pasta, or similar. Saturday, we go out.

Rinse, repeat. Any days off, I can spend time on cooking or stocking up, but there's also all the other stuff that has to get done. Spoiler alert - a lot of it doesn't.

[Marthe48]

20. I see the same routine with my daughters

My kids both work. The one with kids tends toward casseroles, or meals with leftovers. The one without kids tends toward wraps, salads, and soup, makes enough for lunch for herself and husband. Both families are mainly vegetarian, and they come up with some creative meals with nice touches.

When I cook, even for myself, I'll doctor frozen things up, or dress up the salad or entre. I guess by feast I mean adding things that make the meal seem special, even if it is easy and quick

[Marthe48]

22. It sounds like you're making the best of it

My husband died in 2017, kids are middle-aged, grands are teens. I am on a permanent diet, so I don't eat out much, and limit processed foods in the house. I doctor up processed and dress up what I cook. I get the frozen chimichungas at Aldi. I add some shred cheese and hot sauce to make it nicer. When I posting yesterday, I was timing mashed potatoes to be ready right when the creamed chicken was. So feast effort for a simple meal for one. We had an eye on the future, so I am secure. Corporate ouging has made a dent, but I cut out non-essentials and avoid shopping. Not the golden years we thought :/

[Demsrule86]

25. I think there is help available through social security for low income seniors.

[Warpy]

23. Depends on my pain level

On a good day, I fuss. On a bad day, it's Kraft dinner out of the pot, standing at the sink.

[Demsrule86]

24. I am a foodie...I love to cook and will fuss over it until it is right.

For example, I found this liquid curry package at Giant Eagle and you just add chicken. But I thought it was awful so I had a can of light coconut milk, some stevia, and cornstarch mixed with a little of the coconut milk. Also some extra spices...garlic of course. And a little extra curry. I served it with condiments- sliced almonds, unsweetened coconut flakes, fresh pineapple, chopped onion Chutney, cilantro, and mint (took over the backyard). I used Basmati rice...now it was just me and my husband. It turned out really well.

[Marthe48]

26. I do things like this most days

I guess the extra touches adds to the look and flavor of the meals I fix at home

Your meal sounds delicious!