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AIBU?

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Original poster

Do people really eat a cooked meal every single night?

611 replies

JonesyAndTheSalad · 05/04/2017 11:24

I just can't!

I have done this week as we've got guests so it seems the polite and right thing to do...to cook a meal each night.

But the endless stream of meat and potatoes is awful!

We've had pasta one night but that was also with meat...another night we had pizzas...home made...the other nights it has been curry with chicken and rice and a variety of red meat with various potatoes.

I always ask the guests "What do you fancy this evening?" and it's always meat and potatoes of some kind!

Is this usual? Tonight I just didn't fancy it so said I didn't fancy a full meal and I ate some yogurt...they were a bit Shock

Do you eat like this every night? Or do you sometimes think "Meh I'll have a sandwich" or "The kids will be happy with egg on toast and some fruit"

Or is it only me?

OP posts:
hellokittymania · 06/04/2017 09:15

No, sometimes I'm just too tired. I might buy ready made pasta or something that I can just open and eat.

chocaholic123 · 06/04/2017 09:20

I cook every night (though Friday is 'freezer day' - easier after swimming lessons, etc). I am currently on maternity leave which makes it easier. This week I've made:
Homemade beef kofta kebabs with salad and homemade chips
Tandoori chicken skewers (I can't
Remember with what - baby brain)
Bbq chicken drumsticks with rice and homemade slaw
Tonight will be a pasta dish
Tomorrow will actually be a risotto this week instead of freezer food
Homemade chinese sat night
Roast on Sunday.

I do love cooking, though, and enjoy us all sitting around the table.

If it was just me, chances are I wouldn't cook half as much.

bananafish81 · 06/04/2017 09:31

These sorts of threads always have the same effect on me: I'm so disturbed at the thought o families not sitting down together to a proper home cooked evening meal that I get my cookbooks out and start menu planning in order to erase the unpleasant images of cereal packets and yoghurt pots and* laziness.*

I am lazy. So what? DH & I aren't hurting anyone. I had to eat proper dinners when I was doing fertility treatment as I had to be a minimum BMI & make sure I was getting enough protein, not too many carbs etc. I was bored shitless having to think about dinner every frigging night. Everything I make is tasteless anyway so it was a right faff arse for sod all pay off. I did it because I had to, for the greater good, but there was no pleasure in a home cooked evening meal I didn't want to make nor eat.

By all means menu plan on my behalf to make up for my slatternly ways! We can't have DC so I'm not neglecting anyone.

irregularegular · 06/04/2017 09:31

I didn't interpret "cooked" as homecooked from scratch. Just a proper meal rather than a sandwich/cereal/yoghurt snack. Usually hot, but could be substantial cold meal. Includes ready meals, takeaways, semi-prepared meals, ready made sauces, meals out etc.

Imamouseduh · 06/04/2017 09:35

'Cook' every night here, but that often means salad or something simple like frittata with dressed leaves or even oeufs en cocotte if I'm really lazy/want something light. No way could I go to bed having only eaten yoghurt!

BoredOnMatLeave · 06/04/2017 09:41

As I child I wouldn't always have a cooked meal but I do now as DP is a big bloke doing a physical job, he needs something substantial If he is out/away I eat toast/cereal/something like that though... He thinks its v v v odd but he came from a family that would have cooked meal followed by dessert every night.

Lweji · 06/04/2017 09:42

I always make way more pasta or rice than I need for one meal.
Whatever I make on a daily basis doesn't take more than 10 min prep or standing at the stove.
And I'm lazy.

Roomster101 · 06/04/2017 09:47

Roomster, the point of having teenagers is you get them to cook. Or at the very least to make the salad.

They are too busy on school nights with homework and other activities. Nobody wants salad for tea in our house (including me).

BoboChic · 06/04/2017 09:49

skerrywind - it isn't luck, it's choice.

NotTheMrMenAgain · 06/04/2017 09:51

OP, do what you like - don't be cowed by some people's self-righteous descriptions of what is or isn't acceptable - everyone's different. A big cooked meal each evening wouldn't suit me, wouldn't enjoy it, so I don't do it.
I work 3 days a week and don't get home til after 7 - DH works away usually during the week and DD will have eaten with whichever grandparents have collected her from school, so I'm on my own dinner-wise. Like hell do I start banging the pots and pans - I'll have cheese, biscuits and red wine and be happy about it!

I'll make 'proper' dinners over the weekend, or we'll eat out. To be honest DD and DH are very easy to please and happy with anything tasty. To me cooking is just another chore and life is too short to spend it chained to the kitchen.
I know some folks get real enjoyment and fulfilment from being nurturing and providing a constant stream of hot meals, I have some of these types in my family, but I just don't feel the love, I find it very boring.
It's just food and we're really not that bothered either way, we'd rather be out doing something interesting. Each to their own.

Roomster101 · 06/04/2017 09:53

I am lazy. So what? DH & I aren't hurting anyone. I had to eat proper dinners when I was doing fertility treatment as I had to be a minimum BMI & make sure I was getting enough protein, not too many carbs etc. I was bored shitless having to think about dinner every frigging night. Everything I make is tasteless anyway so it was a right faff arse for sod all pay off. I did it because I had to, for the greater good, but there was no pleasure in a home cooked evening meal I didn't want to make nor eat.

I know what you mean but in the past I have found that if I don't cook properly and just snack, I lose my appetite. If I am by myself (if DH and children aren't at home) I just cook something like salmon and potatoes with peas/salad. It is quick and easy but probably more nutritious/filling than yoghurt/cereal.

DameXanaduBramble · 06/04/2017 10:00

You do sound a bit holier than thou, bobochic, I think that's what is getting people's backs up.

DameXanaduBramble · 06/04/2017 10:01

You do sound a bit holier than thou, bobochic, I think that's what is getting people's backs up.

BoboChic · 06/04/2017 10:03

I'm not sure why people should be so bothered by other people's choices. I have my own feelings and choices that are important to me and are important to my family's functioning. We'd all be miserable if it was any other way!

DameXanaduBramble · 06/04/2017 10:03

You are clearly bothered by other people's choices.

BoboChic · 06/04/2017 10:06

Only when they get in the way of mine! Those depressing images of cereal packets and yoghourt pots are not going to provide any creative inspiration for my next meal - hence needing to erase them quickly with some lovely pictures in a good cook book!

Lweji · 06/04/2017 10:08
Confused
Cherrysoup · 06/04/2017 10:11

Cooked meal very night unless it's a rare cheese night (good bread, 4 or 5 cheeses). The DH is massively into his BBQ, so we have a lot of chargrilled veg plus maybe lamb rack, steak, tuna steak etc.

SuburbanRhonda · 06/04/2017 10:15

chocoholic

You mentioned "baby brain" so I'm guessing you're on mat leave? No wonder you've got so much time to cook! I'm on school holidays atm and I've cooked twice on some days Shock

cowgirlsareforever · 06/04/2017 10:17

Manijo I think I am going to take a leaf out of your book and do a buffet style meal every so often. It sounds really good.

user1489179512 · 06/04/2017 10:22

Have only read backwards, as it were, up this page but my impression is that the people who don't cook are getting defensive. Those who do cook every evening have every right to say that they do so. Whatever others may read between the lines is their problem.

user1489179512 · 06/04/2017 10:23

Have only looked at a few of the recent posts in other words.

ginghamstarfish · 06/04/2017 10:25

If I was on my own I probably wouldn't bother as much but DH works hard all day and wants a filling meal (I work part time from home so have more time to cook than him). I use the slow cooker a lot, make batches so each time one or two meals go in the freezer. Also do things like cook a chicken, or a gammon joint (in SC) in lentil/veg soup, so that will do for other meals with salads, baked spud etc. So not actually 'cooking' every day but I would say yes, we have a home-cooked meal in the evenings. Couldn't bear to eat ready-made prepared stuff or takeaways, would rather put in a bit of effort to make my own healthy meals!

DameXanaduBramble · 06/04/2017 10:27

I cook every night, user, so put that in yer pipe etc. Bobochic is an insufferable food bore.

skerrywind · 06/04/2017 10:27

skerrywind - it isn't luck, it's choice

Oh please bobo.

I don't know how old your kids are, but I could see my "choice" of insisting that we all sit down like the Waltons unworkable.

DD dances 6 nights a week, in from school at 4pm ( ravenous), off to dance by half 5, back at 9.30pm.

Should I insist she stops dancing in order to eat like the Waltons?

DS is at college, but works 4 evenings a week from 5pm until 10pm.

Should I insist he gives up his job so we can eat like the Waltons?

OH is rarely home before 8pm, and often works away.

Should I ask him to change jobs so we can eat like the Waltons?

Elderly mother get tired and often goes to bed at 8pm.

Should I force her to stay up so we can all eat at 10.30pm?

Your idea that eating together is a choice is laughable bobo.

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