To think saying 'I can't cook' is a cop out?

[SaltyMargarita]

Hi,

I'm not talking about people with real physical or mental barriers. I mean people who are very able bodied and capable people, who say things like 'Oh, I can't even boil an egg so we just go out for our meals'. Really?! You can't boil an egg? You can't put an egg in boiling water, time it, then take it out again?

You may not be a good cook, but you can cook. It might never be a gastronomical delight and you might never be a contestant on Master Chef, but you presumably need to feed yourself/your family?

I honestly think some people are quite proud to say it. Most people I know who say this are very career focused and it's almost like saying they can't cook/won't cook, is kind of emphasising how driven they are outside the home.

Anyway, does anyone know what I mean?

Exactly this.

I would say my husband can't cook, but he does cook when he needs to! I know that's a bit backwards. He does it when alone but when I'm there, it will be better for all of us if I do it 😆

He can of course read a recipe, but he won't think to check on something, or know when to stir or when it needs more water/reducing etc. He will taste as he goes (because I've banged on about doing so for years) but he won't know how to 'fix' something if it's not quite right. He can't tell what will complement something else. His knife skills are appalling, so everything is a different size and cooks unevenly.

I don't think it's as simple as being able to read, therefore being able to follow a recipe. I can read music but I can't play the piano 😉

Some people have more of a flair for cooking than others. So having the ability to create a meal from a random set of ingredients and knowing what foods go well together and how to spice things and an instinct of what will work.

But general simple putting a meal together is achievable for most people.

Yep

If you can read and follow written instructions, you can cook,

You lost me at blaming career driven people for this.

I can kill in my job and the kitchen thanks.

I’d agree that almost everyone is capable of learning to cook.

But someone who’s never tried, for whatever reason, may genuinely feel that they can’t cook.

”If you can read you can cook” - sure, eventually. That’s how I taught myself to cook. But it’s not an instant process. It takes practice. I’ve had my fair share of inedible results from diligently following recipes.

On multiple occasions I've followed a recipe exactly only for it to turn out inedible and that's despite the recipe having great reviews. So I don't agree it's as simple as if you can read you can cook because I have a Masters degree but have still had to throw away half a dozen meals.

People have widely varying aptitudes for cooking.

I can't cook. I hate cooking. Therefore I feed my family Hello Fresh. I am good at chopping and cleaning - I just hate the cooking part and have no skills. I do exactly what Hello Fresh tells me, so my family eats well.

I always say I ‘can’t cook’ but what I really mean is I ‘don’t cook’. I just have no interest in it and find it pretty boring. And I have absolutely not instinct around it. Thankfully DH does all of the cooking because he loves it and is very good at it.

Since DS came along obviously I’ve learned the basics and can feed him healthy, nutritious meals, and follow a recipe. Still don’t like it though.

My mum often says she can’t cook when in conversation with me. What she means is she can nail about 6 recipes on repeat and has been doing successfully for about 30years.

I like to experiment and cook new things, which I think scares her and that’s where her “I can’t cook” narrative comes from.

As much as I enjoy cooking, I’d probably sour if I had to do it every meal, I’m grateful my DH and I share otherwise the monotony of me having to think/prep/do for us all would make me feel like not being arsed to cook.

Yes, hate this. You could if you wanted to, it's really easy, you could at least try.

meh. As long as they're not saying "i can't cook so you'll have to" i literally can't care.

I remember once when I was at work my colleague received a call from her fiancé asking her how to make beans on toast. My mind was blown by the fact this guy had got to his 40s without finding out how to make beans on toast.

It makes me cringe.

I don't understand how a grown adult can't cook - spaghetti bolognese, roast dinner etc - very, very simple and claiming you can't cook just makes my head hurt.

No.

You can buy healthy ready meals now, or just put stuff together from the deli.

If you don’t need or want to cook and you can afford not to, why do it? Same as cleaning your house, or doing your accounts.

I have lots of friends who are brilliant cooks and love it, but I hate the idea that women HAVE to cook to be fully qualified adults, it’s bollocks.

YANBU. Barring disabi.ities, if you can read you can cook.

I am quite a competent cook, however I cannot boil and egg right.

it's either raw or bullet proof.

I bought on electric egg boiler, so never have to worry about it again

Youtube videos. Can teach you most anything.

Strange thing to get worked up about imo 🤷‍♀️

If you can read you can cook