I didn’t have a cooking ,baking passion growing up.But I was surrounded by a super mom who couldn’t really afford a cook and thus bravely balanced her Government job and cooked for us.
She ensured we ate nourishing food before going to school,at school and when we were at home.I learned the basics of everything and could make rice,Dal,roti, sabzi,chicken fish …but didn’t feel inspired to learn more.I didn’t need to .My mom was a wonderful cook who needed help and I was happy to be the sous chef and clean up crew .
Plus my sister was a childhood baking genius.She and her friends even published a local newspaper where recipe of gur ka paratha was a runaway hit.
My sister was ten year old at that time and she was awe inspiring in her dedication for making these lip smacking,mouth watering yet complex dishes.She baked,cakes,cookies ,tiramisu ,payesh, patishapta,roast chicken,biriyani,stuffed parathas…all with equal passion and ease.I was the chief taster,sous chef and head(only member) of clean up crew,plus kept an eye on her ,to keep her safe in the kitchen.
All that good food and love in the food ensured I looked good ,had normal body weight and became an ENT surgeon and my sister became a beautiful Gold Medalist Geologist .
My sister continued to bake and graduated to baking bread which I learned too.
During the early years of my marriage ,both my husband and I cooked,ate from hostel canteen, eating out at Dilli haat on Saturday nights .I managed but with a very busy post grad life ,inspired cooking was rare.It was functional cooking.I had yet to meet my muse.
When my baby was born I got a cook to help me with cooking .I was struggling.The cook was nice,but cooked average food with extra oil.The result you can guess.This continued till March 2020.
What you experience through your taste buds and mind stays with you .But that was yet to be revealed.
I was glad both doctors,nutritionists and social media took it upon them to bust the propaganda being tried,with FOMO being used.
In 2020 with the COVID Pandemic and the absence of a cook ,my hubby and I magically transformed into cooking and baking gurus .The inevitable happened.
We cook as a family since 2020 March and my house cleaning help didi helps with the preps.Its a tango which we have found a rhythm with.
Recently while watching a Milind Soman reel where he was doing calisthenics, I read a quote of his…
If you respect two things;kitchen and workout place…your old age will thank you
Milind Soman
I am not talking about only the women cooking for the family.I am talking about everyone cooking for their own health and their loved ones.It won’t be a burden and you will definitely spend less on medication and healthcare costs.
I use my oven,air fryer,microwave ,pressure cooker and hacks to make cooking work for us.My husband, cooks almost as much as I do and it works as a tango.My daily helper didi helps with the preps and that is an answer to my prayers.I wasn’t always cooking my own food .COVID 19 was what made me learn and go full time.Its been the best investment in my heart and health for the long run.
Remember big food and big pharma are great friends.If it comes out of a package,it’s definitely processed and not having your best interest at heart.
But saying that I will tell you about a quote I read in a Bengali cook book(I forgot the name),so paraphrasing
“Who cooks for you?Is it the fire,the veggies,the utensil ?No it’s your heart full of love that cooks.”
If you are cooking for yourself,that is the best way to love and take care of yourself .
Clean kitchen,calm cooks ,love and peace in your heart will help you rustle up good food .But are you ready to do the work?
I am participating in Blogchatter A2Z 2025 and also the April Ultimate blog challenge.
This is a B post.you can find all the April posts here.
Sharing is good Karma!
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Interesting Amrita! I’ve always loved to cook and bake, way back from watching and helping my grandmother. We had a large garden when I was young and she canned, froze, pickled, dried everything. She could cook up a meal that would last our family of seven through many dinners just be adding a few extra ingredients to change to meal. i guess that’s where I get my ideas when making leftovers!
Yes,it’s always a great idea to be creative with cooking. It makes food interesting
I love that you all are cooking! And that not cooking as a child didn’t discourage you later on. Also, I love what you’re saying about cooking with love.
Thanks Jeanine.Sometimes cooking is the only way to eat what I want to!
If one good thing could come from the pandemic, it would be that many learned to cook or bake. And then we had to learn to work out. ๐ The airfryer has been my latest purchase and I’m learning to make family favorites that way to save time.
Absolutely my thought.Thanks Angie
I think many of us turn into good cooks later than sooner, maybe because there are too many distractions when we are younger. Your post made for interesting reading.
That’s so true.Plus we tend to grow wiser too .It helps us make better choices.Thank you
I don’t like cooking. So I always think of single ingredient easy cooking hacks. We are trying different types of lightly roasted veggies, and combos like beans, rice, veggies etc., Have to learn new ways to cook in our busy daily lives.
I love easy and can’t do complicated elaborate meals.
Interesting read. So much similar to my cooking journey. Cooking at home is the best practice and I am enjoying it more than ever. Being retired leaves me with lots of time and cooking is a creative persuite. With two boys as offsprings, my kitchen was/is always gender free. Sundays were boys’ day of planning and cooking in those days and now we both take turns or do cooking hand in hand with old romantic songs as a background music. Life is cooking musical symphony!
That’s so apt.Thank you