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Did/do you enjoy cooking for a family?

(60 Posts)
Sago Sat 24-Aug-24 10:45:09

I have a good friend who stopped cooking for her children “as soon as they were old enough to put a pizza in the oven”.

My own mother didn’t enjoy feeding me, everything was served with a big dollop of resentment!

I loved it and still do!
I’m currently working out a meal plan for my daughter,SIL and grandchildren coming next weekend.

It makes me feel sad that my friend still gets no joy from food.

JaneJudge Sat 24-Aug-24 10:49:37

I go through phases. Sometimes I love cooking, other times I am less enamoured. My husband has been unwell during the night so I got up quite early and left him bed. Opened the fridge and there was a punnet of strawberries that were not particularly healthy looking for eating, so I've made jam (2 jars)
So it is something I get enjoyment of too

Do you think there will be any blackberries left?

I always remember the cheese biscuit recipe you gave me smile I use it often

MissInterpreted Sat 24-Aug-24 10:50:32

Yes, I love cooking and always have done, especially when all the family are coming round. I used to batch cook things for my children to take away with them when they were older, but I also loved getting them to help me cook things, even from a very early age. Getting no joy from food must make eating a very soulless experience - just like putting fuel into a car, I suppose.

JaneJudge Sat 24-Aug-24 10:50:33

the do you think there will be any blackberries left? was because I might put my raincoat on and go a walk to pick some smile make more jam...

Greenfinch Sat 24-Aug-24 11:01:20

I love cooking when there is no pressure and so I sometimes prepare meals days in advance. My mother was an excellent pastry cook( she put it down to having very cold hands) but the few attempts I have made with pastry have been unsuccessful. Even the birds didn’t eat it!
The blackberries in my neck of the woods are all but over. I was very surprised about that.

ExDancer Sat 24-Aug-24 11:02:29

Its not the cooking of the meals I detest, it the thinking up what to make that's the problem

Sago Sat 24-Aug-24 11:06:28

JaneJudge

the do you think there will be any blackberries left? was because I might put my raincoat on and go a walk to pick some smile make more jam...

Plenty here still in East Yorkshire.

I will be making a batch of the cheese biscuits this week!

Gin Sat 24-Aug-24 11:28:31

Used to love cooking for the family and be quite inventive but after over sixty years of doing all the cooking, plus not having much of an appetite these days, I would very happily give the chore to someone else!
OH can just about boil an egg. I have injured my right wrist and have had to rope him in to help with tasks like peeling veg and chopping onions, it is painful to watch. We might have to buy ready meals which we have very very rarely eaten.

Auntieflo Sat 24-Aug-24 11:29:41

I really used to enjoy cooking for the family, but can't do it now. I just get so exhausted. It's more than enough to cook for two.
Many years ago, in a magazine, there was a recipe printed for every day of the year. Oh how I wish I had kept it, just to give me inspiration.

lovesreading Sat 24-Aug-24 11:32:00

No, I've never enjoyed cooking but I married a chef which sorted that right out!

NotSpaghetti Sat 24-Aug-24 11:34:09

I love big family cooking but am relieved not to have to feed 5 teenagers (and friends) every day!
😂

NotSpaghetti Sat 24-Aug-24 11:36:18

OK Sago and janeJudge - now we all want cheese biscuits!

Please send the recipe!!! grin

Jane43 Sat 24-Aug-24 11:37:01

JaneJudge

the do you think there will be any blackberries left? was because I might put my raincoat on and go a walk to pick some smile make more jam...

There are plenty of blackberries on my ‘walking the dog route’, some ripe and some not yet ripe so I would imagine there will be a good supply of blackberries for a few weeks. I used to love making jam but my DH is Type 2 diabetic now so we have had to cut out a lot of things we used to enjoy.

paddyann54 Sat 24-Aug-24 11:43:34

I,ve always loved to cook,taught my kids from a young age and my GC ,they could all produce a decent meal before they left primary school.Now I bake with the 4 year old every week and her colour mixing skills for icing is brilliant though she hasn’t managed the right shade of teal she wants.yet.I have my sons family every Sunday for dinner and wee madam,his middle child,loves to show off her mixer skills and help.The benefit is the kids eat anything ,not just so called children’s food.I love Sundays ,it’s the highlight of my week

QuaintIrene Sat 24-Aug-24 11:47:21

I never had a family of my own to cook for. When I lived at home I baked weekly, cakes, pies - sweet and savoury. Mother made sure we could all cook and budget with a set amount of money per week. My brothers included.
I do enjoy cooking if I'm in the mood, I prefer fresh food if I can get it and batch cook to freeze for another day.
DH could cook perfectly well but didn't.

JaneJudge Sat 24-Aug-24 12:01:23

cheese biscuits recipe I might make some today too 🤩 I use cheddar rather than parmesan. It’s all cheese Grommit

Iam64 Sat 24-Aug-24 12:06:33

I used to love cooking for a big family or group and just for us. Living alone and health recently left me losing enthusiasm. I’m beginning to plan a meal for friends and I may be Christmas Day host / goof

kittylester Sat 24-Aug-24 12:26:33

I love cooking but always have homemade stuff in the freezer for the days when I don't want to.

downtoearth Sat 24-Aug-24 12:31:27

I really miss cooking for my family so like to feed them up when they visit, I do cook in advance so not all discombobulated in the tiny kitchen I have dishing up can be a game of jenga.

Although I like notice of people coming, I love providing food and cooking for them.

Living alone eat well but the enthusiasm for food is lacking at times.

Tuaim Sat 24-Aug-24 12:38:39

I will cook for people if I have a new recipe I want to try out and be imaginative. I can cook and I do have taste but can't mostly be bothered with huge menus and lots of people. I thin where am I in all this. Also, if I go to a restaurant it must be top notch. I can cook pub food at home myself. I have to get something out of it.

Greyduster Sat 24-Aug-24 12:48:02

I cook “autopilot” food these days - a roast dinner for DD and the menfolk every other weekend with a home made pudding (blackberry and apple crumble tomorrow), and, during the football season, lasagne or meat and potato pie for DS after the match. Back in the day I used to cook elaborate, full fig, dinners for up to twelve people and not turn a hair, but now that I live on my own, I’m no longer that organised or, indeed, invested in food or cooking.

Chocolatelovinggran Sat 24-Aug-24 13:03:00

Oh Greenfinch, I'm with you. Thank goodness for frozen pastry. Made by me, pastry could be a weapon of mass destruction.

NotSpaghetti Sat 24-Aug-24 13:05:53

Thanks Jane!
😋

Casdon Sat 24-Aug-24 13:22:46

No, I don’t like cooking at all, I never did. My husband did all the cooking when the children were young, and I did the gardening (my passion) and DIY. I like eating and being healthy though, so that has been the motivator. I now prepare in bulk, batch cook, freeze whatever I can, encourage my now adult children to cook when they are here, and eat out whenever I can to cut down on the effort involved.
Don’t feel sad for we non cookers though Sago, most of us are quite happy regardless.

AreWeThereYet Sat 24-Aug-24 13:26:13

I've always liked cooking for the family. I prefer to not have people 'helping' if I'm doing something elaborate but enjoyed having ACs and GCs around to cook otherwise.

DM had no interest - partially lack of funds, partially lack of time with a big family, partially lack of interest.

When I got my first flat in London where I could cook the first thing we cooked was burnt sausage and lumpy mash - only because we'd seen them cooked before so had a vague idea grin