The Joy of Cooking or Not

Fourth of July at Our House

The only stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking you’ve got to have a what-the-hell attitude.

Julia Child

Well, we’re back to the Fourth of July. This brings me to a new revelation. Many people take photos of beautifully arranged plates of food. On the other hand, I prefer to capture beautifully set tables, without the food. I believe the underlying message is that I’d rather not look at food if it means I have to cook it. I realize that for a woman of my generation to make that statement is akin to admitting a character flaw.

This wasn’t always the case. As my family grew, I became quite the cook. There was a time when I attempted, albeit with limited success, dishes like Beef Wellington, Cherries Jubilee, and Baked Alaska. Even after returning to full-time work, I continued to prepare daily meals. I can’t pinpoint exactly when things changed. The boys grew up. It was easier to go out than to cook for two people. I continued to work full-time. As time went by, fixing a meal became more of a chore.

Fast forward to today, and I’m retired. With more time to spend, I wish I genuinely enjoyed cooking. However, I’m more inclined to choose easy options. Instead of spending hours in the kitchen, I might throw something in the slow cooker, grill a hamburger, or simply go out.

My son recently brought me a half dozen bottles of spices from a trip to Turkey. One of them is saffron, and I must admit, I’m intrigued. I’ve been browsing through recipes for risotto or pasta, and who knows, maybe I’ll be inspired to try something new.

Peace be with you.