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What do you do whilst cooking dinner ?

(104 Posts)
ruthiek Wed 11-Jan-23 18:32:45

Ok there is only two of us so it’s not cordon blue every night , but I get so bored whilst waiting for everything to cook, what do others do ? - asking for a friend 😂

CanadianGran Wed 11-Jan-23 21:44:05

I'm not too ambitious while I am cooking, but will do a tidy up of kitchen or a little prep for the next day. If the news is on I will watch a bit, or read a bit of my book. Most of my day to day cooking needs watching.

crazyH Wed 11-Jan-23 21:55:37

Talk to myself 😂

Callistemon21 Wed 11-Jan-23 22:05:20

It depends.

If it's slow cooker, go out for the day.
If it's steak, concentrate on the cooking.

Or empty the dishwasher.

Doodledog Wed 11-Jan-23 22:18:53

It depends what I'm cooking. If I've put a casserole in I might go and watch a film or change the beds or do some knitting, but if I'm making something that needs attention then obviously I don't. I might tidy up or clean under the kettle and toaster - that sort of thing. Or set the table if Mr Dog's not doing it and getting under my feet coming in and out to find cutlery and place mats.

I do find that if I'm just making a cup of tea, or something like toast for breakfast, I will find something useful to do whilst waiting for the kettle to boil or the bread to toast - wipe down the worktop, bleach a dishcloth, throw teatowels into the washing machine - little things like that. Sometimes I find that having just a couple of minutes to do things is quite productive, but knowing I have ages leads to procrastination.

Callistemon21 Wed 11-Jan-23 22:25:16

Tidy up the kitchen as I go.
🙂

Redhead56 Wed 11-Jan-23 22:26:52

I listen to Heart radio if in the kitchen tidying up with a🍷I will watch Food Network in the living room with a 🍷

Ellie Anne Wed 11-Jan-23 22:27:00

Watch pointless or the chase

Alioop Wed 11-Jan-23 22:31:16

I play with the dog, then feed her, catch up with the news and as it's dark early I go around closing the blinds. Roll on Spring and the lighter nights 🌞

Marthjolly1 Wed 11-Jan-23 22:39:21

Ohh. I dont do anything else! I just cook the dinner. Prep, chop, mix, season, stir, cook, check, test, no time for anything else, maybe tidy as I go, set the table, dish up, eat.

nadateturbe Wed 11-Jan-23 22:48:23

I don't usually make dinner - OH brings it on a tray. I prep the veg.
I had to make it yesterday as he was ill, difficult whilst watching Tipping Point.

nadateturbe Wed 11-Jan-23 22:53:23

Baggs

Once everything is cooking and the table's set, I sit down, put my feet on the horizontal cooker door handle and read a book. Might sip some wine while I'm at it.

That sounds very relaxed Baggs.

Callistemon21 Wed 11-Jan-23 23:06:45

Sometimes I sit in the kitchen and watch the 6 o'clock News or House of Games and have a 🍷

Callistemon21 Wed 11-Jan-23 23:07:17

nadateturbe

I don't usually make dinner - OH brings it on a tray. I prep the veg.
I had to make it yesterday as he was ill, difficult whilst watching Tipping Point.

Well, that sounds very civilised!

Callistemon21 Wed 11-Jan-23 23:07:51

ps sorry, hope he feels better now.

Rosina Wed 11-Jan-23 23:19:09

Once everything is cooking away nicely I listen to music, dance round the kitchen, play with the dog, play cards, amend online grocery shopping, change into scruff clothes, make quick phone calls to DC/friends, do crosswords, read newspaper - but usually just one or two of these activities each evening, obviously!

Dibbydod Wed 11-Jan-23 23:25:57

Usually I relax with my iPad & glass or two of wine 🍷 🍷

nadateturbe Wed 11-Jan-23 23:43:58

Callistemon
I think he prefers his cooking to mine.

shysal Thu 12-Jan-23 09:31:32

I record Farmers' Country Showdown and Make it at Market every afternoon and watch while cooking and eating dinner (I live alone). After washing up it is House of Games, also recorded daily.

grandtanteJE65 Fri 13-Jan-23 11:54:29

Depends on what I am actually cooking. Some things need to be stirred continually, or otherwise kept an eye on.

Once potatoes etc. are on the boil, I turn the heat down and leave them to it, whilst I do anything else I want.

AskAlice Fri 13-Jan-23 11:58:17

In the winter I usually just shiver...there is no heating in our kitchen and it's freezing until the oven and hobs have heated it up a bit!

timetogo2016 Fri 13-Jan-23 12:03:55

Have a glass of wineand watch The Chase.

Stansgran Fri 13-Jan-23 12:10:22

I firmly believe in one pot cooking. Any extra veg are in the microwave steamer.

Paperbackwriter Sat 14-Jan-23 11:19:33

Sarah75

wine wine

Me too, Sarah! Also, it's usually about 6.30 so there is often some comedy on Radio 4. Otherwise I'll try and finish what's left of the Times and Guardian crosswords.

Marleygirl Sat 14-Jan-23 11:20:23

Listening to Radio BBC 4 at the same time as doing my steps, only aiming for my daily one thousand BUT IT WORKS - lost a stone over the last year (2022's NY resolution)

Moth62 Sat 14-Jan-23 11:24:09

I listen to Sara Cox’s show on R2 and text answers in to her competitions! Sometimes they get read out