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Cooking Slump

woodsman

woodsman

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I’m in a deep cooking slump, the last few months I have pretty much just been preparing meals for myself and taking the easiest way out possible, well I haven’t gone over the edge with prepared foods. Some time back I even subscribed to one of those meal ingredient delivery services (blue apron) but the menu got a bit boring for the cost and it was based around two people.

I’m a good cook, most folks say I missed my calling and should have been a chief so It’s not as though I don’t know how to cook. I also get this is common for folks that are retired and living alone. I’m hoping that a few here can give me some direction and tips of what they do to stay engaged with meals. I was compelled to write this post when I noticed I’m preparing the same meal twice this week because its easy. One of my favorite chicken dishes is my Moroccan style chicken thighs. It’s about as easy at it gets, I season with Ras El hanout or If I feel frisky and want to go spicy I will add Pilpelchuma and dried hot pepper flakes. But with that comes extra work, you really need a cooling dipping sauce. Mine is pretty traditional and easy, sour cream, fresh lemon juice Thai basil or mint.

I have found myself skipping the side dishes and going with a bagged salad mix with raw veggies tossed in to make it easy. Anyway’s, any tips or suggestion would be very welcome.
 
woodsman said:
I’m in a deep cooking slump, the last few months I have pretty much just been preparing meals for myself and taking the easiest way out possible, well I haven’t gone over the edge with prepared foods. Some time back I even subscribed to one of those meal ingredient delivery services (blue apron) but the menu got a bit boring for the cost and it was based around two people.

I’m a good cook, most folks say I missed my calling and should have been a chief so It’s not as though I don’t know how to cook. I also get this is common for folks that are retired and living alone. I’m hoping that a few here can give me some direction and tips of what they do to stay engaged with meals. I was compelled to write this post when I noticed I’m preparing the same meal twice this week because its easy. One of my favorite chicken dishes is my Moroccan style chicken thighs. It’s about as easy at it gets, I season with Ras El hanout or If I feel frisky and want to go spicy I will add Pilpelchuma and dried hot pepper flakes. But with that comes extra work, you really need a cooling dipping sauce. Mine is pretty traditional and easy, sour cream, fresh lemon juice Thai basil or mint.

I have found myself skipping the side dishes and going with a bagged salad mix with raw veggies tossed in to make it easy. Anyway’s, any tips or suggestion would be very welcome.
Click to expand...

morrocan meatball with peanut is delicious ,serve with tahini sauce
 
Once the seasons change, maybe it will up your interest. Late summer is a very draggy time of the year. There are some days I just eat the drive thru once and that is the only proper meal I eat for the day. Once it gets chilly, my desires to cook and eat pick up.
 
woodsman said:
I’m in a deep cooking slump, the last few months I have pretty much just been preparing meals for myself and taking the easiest way out possible, well I haven’t gone over the edge with prepared foods. Some time back I even subscribed to one of those meal ingredient delivery services (blue apron) but the menu got a bit boring for the cost and it was based around two people.

I’m a good cook, most folks say I missed my calling and should have been a chief so It’s not as though I don’t know how to cook. I also get this is common for folks that are retired and living alone. I’m hoping that a few here can give me some direction and tips of what they do to stay engaged with meals. I was compelled to write this post when I noticed I’m preparing the same meal twice this week because its easy. One of my favorite chicken dishes is my Moroccan style chicken thighs. It’s about as easy at it gets, I season with Ras El hanout or If I feel frisky and want to go spicy I will add Pilpelchuma and dried hot pepper flakes. But with that comes extra work, you really need a cooling dipping sauce. Mine is pretty traditional and easy, sour cream, fresh lemon juice Thai basil or mint.

I have found myself skipping the side dishes and going with a bagged salad mix with raw veggies tossed in to make it easy. Anyway’s, any tips or suggestion would be very welcome.
Click to expand...

Popcorn with ot butter is a great evening meal and you can make it all in the microwave.

PS: Put a lid on the container you do the butter in. When it starts boiling it explodes and makes a real mess.
 
Not sure where you live, or if it is feasible, but try cooking with other people. Invite friends and or neighbors and make it a theme night. Cook together, eat together. Beats the blues, inspires new recipes etc.
 
backpacker said:
Once the seasons change, maybe it will up your interest. Late summer is a very draggy time of the year. There are some days I just eat the drive thru once and that is the only proper meal I eat for the day. Once it gets chilly, my desires to cook and eat pick up.
Click to expand...
You may be right with this, it has been a very long and very hot summer ( I hate the heat). I am looking forward to the cooler temps and fall foliage.
 
woodsman said:
You may be right with this, it has been a very long and very hot summer ( I hate the heat). I am looking forward to the cooler temps and fall foliage.
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And the big pot of chili that goes with!
 
woodsman said:
I’m in a deep cooking slump, the last few months I have pretty much just been preparing meals for myself and taking the easiest way out possible, well I haven’t gone over the edge with prepared foods. Some time back I even subscribed to one of those meal ingredient delivery services (blue apron) but the menu got a bit boring for the cost and it was based around two people.

I’m a good cook, most folks say I missed my calling and should have been a chief so It’s not as though I don’t know how to cook. I also get this is common for folks that are retired and living alone. I’m hoping that a few here can give me some direction and tips of what they do to stay engaged with meals. I was compelled to write this post when I noticed I’m preparing the same meal twice this week because its easy. One of my favorite chicken dishes is my Moroccan style chicken thighs. It’s about as easy at it gets, I season with Ras El hanout or If I feel frisky and want to go spicy I will add Pilpelchuma and dried hot pepper flakes. But with that comes extra work, you really need a cooling dipping sauce. Mine is pretty traditional and easy, sour cream, fresh lemon juice Thai basil or mint.

I have found myself skipping the side dishes and going with a bagged salad mix with raw veggies tossed in to make it easy. Anyway’s, any tips or suggestion would be very welcome.
Click to expand...

I've been there, in a slump like that.

My advice would be to pick a cuisine or discipline (like improving your knife skills or something similar) and throw yourself at it.

The was I got out of mine was to concentrate for about 6 months on brining techniques and roasting birds.

Also, if there are cooking schools near you (and here in LA, at least, we have a LOT of options) consider taking a class or two and then expanding on that on your own at home
 
woodsman said:
I’m in a deep cooking slump, the last few months I have pretty much just been preparing meals for myself and taking the easiest way out possible, well I haven’t gone over the edge with prepared foods. Some time back I even subscribed to one of those meal ingredient delivery services (blue apron) but the menu got a bit boring for the cost and it was based around two people.

I’m a good cook, most folks say I missed my calling and should have been a chief so It’s not as though I don’t know how to cook. I also get this is common for folks that are retired and living alone. I’m hoping that a few here can give me some direction and tips of what they do to stay engaged with meals. I was compelled to write this post when I noticed I’m preparing the same meal twice this week because its easy. One of my favorite chicken dishes is my Moroccan style chicken thighs. It’s about as easy at it gets, I season with Ras El hanout or If I feel frisky and want to go spicy I will add Pilpelchuma and dried hot pepper flakes. But with that comes extra work, you really need a cooling dipping sauce. Mine is pretty traditional and easy, sour cream, fresh lemon juice Thai basil or mint.

I have found myself skipping the side dishes and going with a bagged salad mix with raw veggies tossed in to make it easy. Anyway’s, any tips or suggestion would be very welcome.
Click to expand...

Saute some yellow onion in a pan with a little oil. Add 2 cans of diced tomato and season with S&P, garlic, and fresh basil. While that's going stab a hole in a spaghetti squash and nuke it until it starts to get soft. Add a couple if Tilapia filets to the pan along with a splash of white wine. When the squash is done slice it and use a fork to scoop out the meat. Pile the "spaghetti" on a plate and top with the fish and pan sauce.

Nice and fast with very little clean up and it's pretty doggone healthy to boot.
 
Lovebug said:
Not sure where you live, or if it is feasible, but try cooking with other people. Invite friends and or neighbors and make it a theme night. Cook together, eat together. Beats the blues, inspires new recipes etc.
Click to expand...


Hey LB, I’m not one for socializing as you suggest but thanks for the suggestion. I did get a chuckle out of the recipe swap reference, my core group of friends are older military guys with dead or divorced wives that basically live on franks and beans. I would be the guy they call if they need a dish to bring to a family function that will wow all.
 
woodsman said:
I’m in a deep cooking slump, the last few months I have pretty much just been preparing meals for myself and taking the easiest way out possible, well I haven’t gone over the edge with prepared foods. Some time back I even subscribed to one of those meal ingredient delivery services (blue apron) but the menu got a bit boring for the cost and it was based around two people.

I’m a good cook, most folks say I missed my calling and should have been a chief so It’s not as though I don’t know how to cook. I also get this is common for folks that are retired and living alone. I’m hoping that a few here can give me some direction and tips of what they do to stay engaged with meals. I was compelled to write this post when I noticed I’m preparing the same meal twice this week because its easy. One of my favorite chicken dishes is my Moroccan style chicken thighs. It’s about as easy at it gets, I season with Ras El hanout or If I feel frisky and want to go spicy I will add Pilpelchuma and dried hot pepper flakes. But with that comes extra work, you really need a cooling dipping sauce. Mine is pretty traditional and easy, sour cream, fresh lemon juice Thai basil or mint.

I have found myself skipping the side dishes and going with a bagged salad mix with raw veggies tossed in to make it easy. Anyway’s, any tips or suggestion would be very welcome.
Click to expand...

Get one of these and you'll never eat alone again:
pit-bbq-smoker-w-rib-box-on-trailer-w-gas-starter-big-barrel-concession-grill-bubba-grill_2.jpg
 
Have you considered getting a girl so that you have someone to impress?

That's all I got.
 
Shop for ingredients at a different place. food shop someplace new. buy something you've never had. go out to eat at a new type of place, order something you've never has, heck, order something you don't even like.
 
I will say this: I think even cooking for two sucks, I have never cooked in small amounts and people enjoying my food is a big part of the rush. All the kids have been gone for three years now. What I do is pick a protein for the week, do something big and do something awesome with it, then do leftovers the next night and then thereafter I transform it each night. THis week was the biggest chicken I could find which I roasted with my own fancy selection of spices/salts/lemon, which turned into a really awesome pot pie....the best I have ever done with butter, bacon fat and crisco in the crust, which I over salted and then under salted the filling, OMG...... then on to chicken salad with coconut and fancy cheese sandwiches and beer batter onion rings.

Something to consider if you dont want a girl for whatever reason.

:cowboy:
 
Hawkeye10 said:
I will say this: I think even cooking for two sucks, I have never cooked in small amounts and people enjoying my food is a big part of the rush. All the kids have been gone for three years now. What I do is pick a protein for the week, do something big and do something awesome with it, then do leftovers the next night and then thereafter I transform it each night. THis week was the biggest chicken I could find which I roasted with my own fancy selection of spices/salts/lemon, which turned into a really awesome pot pie....the best I have ever done with butter, bacon fat and crisco in the crust, which I over salted and then under salted the filling, OMG...... then on to chicken salad with coconut and fancy cheese sandwiches and beer batter onion rings.

Something to consider if you dont want a girl for whatever reason.

:cowboy:
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Last line...:lamo:lamo:lamo
 
MaggieD said:
Last line...:lamo:lamo:lamo
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Thought I would keep the theme going....DP has some fun people who will appreciate the attempt, I am sure of it.

People like U.

:thumbs:
 
Hawkeye10 said:
I will say this: I think even cooking for two sucks, I have never cooked in small amounts and people enjoying my food is a big part of the rush. All the kids have been gone for three years now. What I do is pick a protein for the week, do something big and do something awesome with it, then do leftovers the next night and then thereafter I transform it each night. THis week was the biggest chicken I could find which I roasted with my own fancy selection of spices/salts/lemon, which turned into a really awesome pot pie....the best I have ever done with butter, bacon fat and crisco in the crust, which I over salted and then under salted the filling, OMG...... then on to chicken salad with coconut and fancy cheese sandwiches and beer batter onion rings.

Something to consider if you dont want a girl for whatever reason.

:cowboy:
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???

If this is an example of a cooking slump, I'd like to see what occurs during a cooking bonanza! :mrgreen:

One protein for the week would get to me, but it sounds like you do pretty well with what you got! Hell, Monday - Wednesday around here is usually a microwave workout or deli goods (often pretty good ethnic deli goods, though). Or maybe my fave two-for-one Monday Night carry-out pizza - that's gonna' be for the debate.
 
Go with different cuisines for a while. I've been committed to months of try Vegan, Raw food (I couldn't hack it for more than a month or so but I was pleasantly surprised at some of the meals I ate), Indian (that's a vast cuisine and I'm still trying new and regional Indian cuisine, New Orleans cuisine, all kinds of stews from bouillabaisse to Brunswick, and on and on with different cuisines.
 
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