Writing Prompt: Cooking

This did not go like I planned....

In the past I have not been considered a great, or even a good, cook. My ex-husband and some of our mutual friends often mocked my cooking. Baking especially was not a forte. They still ate the food though, which was always strange. I just assumed they were hungry enough, and kind enough, to tolerate my disastrous kitchen offerings. This is why I found it so odd when I started to have friends who actually said nice things about the food I would throw together.

I went from being the kitchen leper to the one asked to bring that one amazing dish. I did not change. I was making the same things. I was doing the same processes. My still horrible baked goods proved that. I realized that it was not that my food was bad, it was that there was so little appreciation for it. I was no master chef, of course, but the food was made with love and a flair for the creative. I liked to add something a little different. Once again, likely the reason why baking, not my best sport.

After a while, the praise for my creations did something miraculous, I was becoming a better cook. I did want to make some of the more complicated treats. I offered to teach others as I learned. The interesting thing, some of those who I taught started to comment about how poor my cooking was, but over the same dish I had just helped them create. Classy right. That is when I knew it had nothing to do with my skills in the kitchen. This was about acceptance.

I am a decent cook. I like to made enough to feed an army, and fill tummies with comfort foods, so exotic fare is not my focus. This does not mean that I cannot whip up some interesting menu items, but it does depend on when, why, and who I am serving.

I am actually really proud to say that I am no longer serving the people in my life who only offered complaints and rude comments. I am thrilled to feed the stomachs and souls of good people though. I equally am happy to have these same friends bake for me, since, yeah, that is still a bit shaky.

There is a deeper meaning to food. We use it to connect with others, so if those around you are taking in what you are offering but only giving back negativity, stop feeding them. What does cooking mean to you? And what is your favorite dish to serve those you love?

I am also thinking about restarting the Nomday recipe posts. That could be a kick.