Cooking

[Wash DC Blue]

Anybody else love their cooking?
It’s become probably my favorite hobby over the last 10 years.

Basically, I missed foods that I couldn’t get in the UK and learned how to make bad versions of what I couldn’t get there into decent versions.

Luckily, I have a pretty large international supermarket here, which provides the most incredible produce and unbelievable herbs and spices from across the globe.

I did a Jamaican oxtail stew yesterday which I think is the best thing I’ve ever made.

Anyone else have a passion for cooking?

My first favorite was “Chewy Tikka” with an introduction into British Style Indian Restaurant cooking. Al’s Kitchen has basically run with that and arguably improved or plagiarized it.
Regardless it has been great.

“Chef John” on YouTube has been a big favorite once you can get over his accent/cadence.
I used a hybrid of recipes for yesterdays meal… but it was primarily from “That Dude Can Cook”, who again could initially annoy you, but you tend to mellow to…especially when you taste the results.

These lads are way beyond the likes of Gordon Ramsey etc in teaching you online.

Anyone else enjoy cooking and would like to share?

[the other bob wilson]

Re: Cooking

I've always liked cooking and, apart from my ongoing inability to produce non lumpy gravy, am not that bad at it if I say so myself. At my age I know what I like and tend to stick with it, so my cooking's not as adventurous as it once was, but it's enjoyed a bit of a revival since I bought my air fryer about eighteen months ago.

[Sunnysideup]

Re: Cooking

I’m a chef by trade Wash
I hung up my apron in 2010 to look after my mother in law who suffered from Altzheimers - she passed away in 2018.
There’s nothing more rewarding than watching peoples faces when they eat something you’ve prepared-it’s the joy of making people happy
You just can’t beat the feeling mate
The downside is that you never get invited to dinner with friends but everyone wants to come to your place!!
I think people in general are more interested in cooking than ever before due to programs on the telly plus so much online content
How easy is it now to turn to TikTok and watch a tutorial on any recipe you desire?
I just had textbooks back in the day 🫣

[2b2bdoo]

Re: Cooking

I love cooking, mainly because I was very fussy when I was younger so cooked without things I didn’t like or to try them bit by bit.

I wouldn’t say I’m the best cook but will give anything a go and actually find it relaxing after a day at work. We don’t buy any jars of sauce or buy any pre made meals so usually a lot healthier as well.

[bobh]

Re: Cooking

I love cooking. When I went to uni, I could barely boil an egg, so it was a case of "learn or starve".
Just the basics for a while, when I got my first flat, I lived alone and found it easier and cheaper to cook a joint on Sunday and play around with the leftovers for a few days.
After marriage, my wife and her friend went on a Chinese cooking course. She did ok, but was too wary of the high heat when stir-frying, so I took over. \every New Year's eve, I would cook a spread for us and some friends, following recipes at first, then doing my own thing. Unfortunately, my stroke put an end to that, though I still like to experiment in the kitchen. The worst thing is, my wife, daughter annd her fiance have very conservative tastes so much of my efforts are confined to my own meals when I'm alone.

[uncle bob]

Re: Cooking

I follow Misty Ricardo = Richard Sayce and Dan Tombes The Curry guy for my Indian Restaurant type curries.
Great books both have and YouTube videos.

I always do a batch of base gravy and freeze it along with Pre cooked chicken and Beef.

I have in my house every single ingredient in my kitchen to make any type of curry I like.

[2b2bdoo]

Re: Cooking

I follow Misty Ricardo = Richard Sayce and Dan Tombes The Curry guy for my Indian Restaurant type curries.
Great books both have and YouTube videos.

I always do a batch of base gravy and freeze it along with Pre cooked chicken and Beef.

I have in my house every single ingredient in my kitchen to make any type of curry I like.

I used his recipe for my batch curry sauces, haven’t done it in a while though, very good.

I do still make Ginger and Garlic ice cubes though, so useful for cooking rather than it going to waste.

[cantonboy]

Re: Cooking

I have had to get to grips with cooking since my wife passed away on new years eve, it was just something she did whilst I was responsible for other things.
I, the same as tobw, am rubbish at making gravy but keep at it in the belief that one day...
I also got myself an air fryer and am making progress with making sure I get the best diet I can and not just chips with everything.
I will never be that good but I am sure I am getting better.
The other day I made a Greens cheesecake, no cooking but I felt pretty good when it turned out ok.

[Rjk]

Re: Cooking

I used to think I was a bit of a dab hand in the kitchen - until I remarried. my wife is from Hong Kong and is just constantly churning out incredible food day after day. other Hong Kong families are always coming to our house to try her food and to learn how to cook various things. it's genuinely better than any restaurant I've been to.
the down side is she has ridiculously high standards, so if I cook something average, or typically British bland food she will sulk about it for days

[insider]

Re: Cooking

I've always done all the cooking in our house more out of necessity, she can feck up toast.
But tbh I don't find it a chore and find it relaxing.
I always watched my mum and helped out as a kid so you just pick things up as you go.
I never follow a recipe I just bung stuff in the Mrs and the boy eat it so that's how I will carry on.

[Wash DC Blue]

Re: Cooking

I’m a chef by trade Wash
I hung up my apron in 2010 to look after my mother in law who suffered from Altzheimers - she passed away in 2018.
There’s nothing more rewarding than watching peoples faces when they eat something you’ve prepared-it’s the joy of making people happy
You just can’t beat the feeling mate
The downside is that you never get invited to dinner with friends but everyone wants to come to your place!!
I think people in general are more interested in cooking than ever before due to programs on the telly plus so much online content
How easy is it now to turn to TikTok and watch a tutorial on any recipe you desire?
I just had textbooks back in the day 🫣

It is a great feeling when something turns out really good!
There really are some fantastic tutorial videos on YouTube.

[ToTaL ITK]

Re: Cooking

at CCFC they love cooking...the books

[NinianOpinion1927]

Re: Cooking

I used to think I was a bit of a dab hand in the kitchen - until I remarried. my wife is from Hong Kong and is just constantly churning out incredible food day after day. other Hong Kong families are always coming to our house to try her food and to learn how to cook various things. it's genuinely better than any restaurant I've been to.
the down side is she has ridiculously high standards, so if I cook something average, or typically British bland food she will sulk about it for days

British food is better than Hong Kong Cantonese in my view. Can't beat a British Sunday roast with all the trimmings.

[Rjk]

Re: Cooking

British food is better than Hong Kong Cantonese in my view. Can't beat a British Sunday roast with all the trimmings.

each to their own, but I couldn't disagree more.
I love the UK but food really isn't our strong point, likewise Scandinavia or Germany etc.

almost all western countries have Chinese restaurants, selling an increasing variety of Chinese food.
not many places outside the UK sell "British food", unless it's to British tourists.

[Baloo]

Re: Cooking

I now do most of the cooking in our gaff.

We use Gousto. Lots of menu options and no waste. Really enjoy it.