Are you a natural when it comes to cooking??

I'd like to think I am.

My mom always had me by her side in the kitchen when I was younger.... either doing dishes or helping to chop veggies or whatever.

Now that I'm older - I've realized that I don't make ANY of the same things that she does... but cooking comes really easy to me. Not sure if they are related or not.

Also - There was no "I got to choose what to eat" in my household when I was young... so my purview is not near as narrow as most, IMO. As a result - I've always been quick to try new things and ask a lot of questions regarding ingredients no matter what the environment or "assumed level of propriety" is.

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cinnamon to the chili the other night.

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On purpose?

5-spice, maybe.

Cinnamon.

Yes I believe I am.

But I also test, experiment, learn, study, and watch everything that involves cooking more than most.

Also, if you can't admit and recognize failures in your cooking...then you aren't a good cook. For those who hop in this thread and say their never cook anything that fails.

I didn't have "it," and still don't have "it," but practice sure has helped. Very rarely will a new dish come out great when I try it for the first time.

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yurintroubl

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Same here. My mom was very much a "mom" cook. And I am so grateful that she cooked for us every night, but I definitely cook much different things than her as an adult.

It is kindof a good thing, though, because my love for cooking has made her love it more too. She was never braising meats and eating quality steaks med-rare when I was growing up. But she almost became what I'd call competitive when I discovered cooking. I think she doesn't want to be shown up I don't mind it at all. Now I love eating at their house even more.

Cooking now has made me love things I always thought I was just content with. Mom always bought the thinner pork chops and baked them--and often overcooked them This past weekend, I bought super thick gorgeous bone-in chops. Seasoned them well and seared them for the perfect crust, and then began the flip-and-baste method. They were mouthwatering.

I mess up sometimes like we all do, but I tend look at a few recipes and make my own when it comes to trying something new and it usually comes out very good.

I don't know about natural, but I grasp most cooking things fairly quickly, particularly if I see it being done, and done expertly. For example, I think I can do Pepin's Chicken Galatine after watching that video once. (Noticed it in The 24 Best Cooking Shows thread.)

you make the best hot dogs

I agree. Cooking is more of a science than an art IMO. Although it is both. It can be learned and mastered whether or not you are a "natural"

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Lester Earl

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I got your hot dog, Lester.






But you get a B for memory...well above your GPA.

Nothing natural about it....competence comes through study and repetition. It's a craft like any other, requiring practice, application, and good tools.