“You can tally up the financial savings, save all your good report cards from the doctor or insurance companies, look at the family budget, or look at your waistline, they all fail in comparison to simply having a loving woman cook you a meal because she loves you.”
Let me summarize this article for all of you: Captain Idiot learns at the age of 40 whatever that cooking for yourself is healthier, cheaper and good for your soul and something about watching some noname lardass cook on TV. And now he thinks he’s a genius for learning this and starts barking all over his “web empire” about it. Never underestimate the supreme stupidity of media people.
Here have some Holy Water. That was nasty to Herr Capitan. Sizzle, sizzle.
And so the Family Structure continues to survive; especially if one is a Deplorable.
When — Iran was not a Fascist with Germany — & was still Persia of long standing & conquered Babyonia during the Fifth century B.C.E. — Persia allowed the Leadership of Israel Jews to return to Israel after being prisoners of the Babylon. {sic}.
Surely the__ ‘Self -Proclaimed Wiser’__ than the Deplorables of the “Great Experiment” during both of the Obama Administration(s) should have recognized the Opportunity to support the — summarily — [Fascist/Theocracy Iran] ___ Hisorically Persian Youth Rising in Opposition to the extreme Theocratic ‘Return of the Caliph-scheme-” funding of Terrorism instead of using the Persian–summarily Iran — Funds needed for education & hygiene.
Where is Intelligent awareness of the Democrat supporters, especially American Jews, or has the New York Times completely absconded with wisdom?
As Shakespeare, The Bard of Avon might say: “clean thine ears thou craven, clay-brained, canker blossom. __ Come into the future of the __Social Media of the deplorable__
Who NOW have the where-with-all to monitor the honesty & effectiveness of the Decades Long abrogation of Representation to control the Feckless Bureaucracy & Their ‘Running Dogs of Algorithm Privileged Opportunity using Tax-payer funding.
Is it even possible for a Democrat supporter in their ignorance of the enamoured by their given power; to set-themselves up as the Future “philospher/kings” ;__which even Alexander the Great could not sustain.
I have a somewhat similar story in that I was forced (voluntarily) to leave my single, alcoholic, father’s apartment when I was a sophomore in HS. Why? No food in the house. None. For a while, my brother and I used to steal food from the local Safeway (no, I’m not proud, but we were legitimately hungry). So, I finally found an adult friend who took me to the County welfare office, and then took me into their home. My older brother simply graduated from HS and moved into the working world.
This experience made me work my ass off, so that I would never have to live that way, ever again. The most stressful period of my life was spent raising 3-children (all through college, with ZERO debt) while working as an Independent (self employed) Contractor. I paid for my own families Health Insurance without the benefit of government, or a large corporate pool discounted price. Yet, I still managed to coach all of my kids competitive soccer teams for about 10 consecutive years. But money was always a bit tighter than I would have preferred. Being self-employed is both highly stressful, and stress relieving. I simply cannot abide the corporate bullshit and hierarchical nonsense.
My brother and I grew up without a mother (who voluntarily relinquished her custody in court). My father cooked, and used to love watching both Julia Child and The Galloping Gourmet (Graham Kerr). So I learned how to cook … with fresh healthy ingredients. Good Food. We NEVER had “processed” food in our dirt poor household … it was too expensive. So I never developed a ‘taste’ for crap food.
I married a woman who does not cook (although she tried while my kids were young). My wife would eat out, or eat packaged foods at every meal as she hates to cook. Eventually, I took over, as the kids and I grew tired of eating her goo. Eventually, my daughter joined me in the kitchen … and I even gave her a (very expensive) 12-session gourmet cooking school for Christmas one year. Here in CA we have access to every possible ingredient grown or raised. The only limit is your imagination. Now as it is only my wife and I … I do all the cooking. I am dedicated to ensuring she eats healthy, balanced meals for the rest of our lives. Healthy food which includes; lots of meat, vegetables, salads, and yes … butter … and heavy cream. Other than watching calories, our rich-fat diet keeps us healthy. My cholesterol and lipids are always in great shape. You will NEVER catch me anywhere near margarine. I believe it causes cancer.
So, I would LOVE to have a wife who cooked. Who truly believed that the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach. But alas … it is ME who is keeping my wife’s heart healthy. Yes, even with our ewwwwww, classic French diet.
‘that which does not destroy me makes me stronger’
to that I add, proven by the above, it also makes our loved ones stronger.
Julia Child remains one of the women I most admire, that group includes the likes of Eleanor Roosevelt
and a couple scientists, like this one, right at the top of that subcategory:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lise_Meitner
Indeed. I’ve never complained or blamed anyone for my less than “Father Knows Best” upbringing … and I hope it doesn’t come across as such here. But I do wear it as something of a badge of honor to have survived and thrived. Life … after all … is mostly in our own hands.
I had a bipolar mother so meals at times were sporadic. I started cooking when I was in high school. I began with simple stuff like ham and eggs. I continued to learn more by watching others cook and asking for recipes. The. bottom line is .. if you can read, you can cook. I looked for easy recipes and then vary them to suit my tastes.
Because I cooked and got good at it, I didn’t mind doing it. That wonderful feature became part of my dossier and that attracted women who don’t want to cook, but rather work a career. So … I married “up” .. a bright woman who was orphaned at seven so had no mama to learn from. Did I mention she was bright and good looking…
The division of labor is fair, aside from her day gig that paid well, she does much of the cleaning, laundry and yard work and I do all groceries, cooking and kitchen maintenance. I do other stuff too, like fixing and repairing things whilst also running a lucrative home based biz. I do know about nutrition and good eating habit’s so that we don’t EVER get unattractively fat as so many do.
More men should learn to cook. You will not need a mommy to feed you and as mentioned, babes will love you for it. Most chefs are men.
I am 76 and retired, I still do all the cooking, my wife loves me for it. We never had kids because when we were at the right age for kids we were too poor to have them. We dote on nieces and nephews.
I had great parents and a mother who actually taught myself and my brothers how to cook, and I mean , how to cook. I have cooked for my kids, my ex wife and my current wife of 31 years. If I go hungry it is because I have become senile. Duke, I am with you.
My mother insisted I learn to cook when I was quite young, and I love her for it. I don’t need to cook for myself now, but I did for many a year. I don’t mind doing it, but I hate cleaning up afterward. 😀
As Duke said, if you can read, you can cook: if it didn’t turn out, you didn’t follow the directions. There are some exceptions, but “not knowing” how to cook can be laid at the feet of laziness or entitlement almost 100% of the time.
When I was much younger, I met a young lady who, later, claimed she couldn’t cook. She was right. I remember she made rice krispies squares for some of us at one time and I swear they were so hard they could have been used for paving stones.
She eventually dumped me but, looking back, I shudder to think what would have happened if we, say, got married. There are indeed times when there are distinct advantages to being a jilted suitor!
Amen, brother. Amen. Realising I dodged the crazy bullet more than once is quite the feeling.
I had a starter wife … she cleaned out our apartment one day while I was at work. Came home to an absolutely BARE apt. All I had was my clothes piled on the floor.
Later, her brother who helped steal all my stuff, committed suicide by driving his car off Hwy1 into the jagged coastal rocks … after it was discovered he sexually molestered multiple middle school girls. Glad she and her family were long gone from my life. Bunch of creeps.
Hey I had a few of those, of course my standards were not that high in those days, in those days I spent all my hard earned money on women of low moral character and booze. None of it was wasted. None of them could cook. They had other gifts. When you are 18-? who cares if they can cook. On Monday going back to work all that was left was ribs sticking out, I played hard. The old married women that ran the canteen loved me tho and would laugh when they would see me coming, completely spent, they knew what I was all about. They would let me run a tab until payday for a sandwich or a few donuts and coffee.
My wife #1 was a little, insatiable, minx in bed. Enough said. Yeah, testosterone drove my decision-making. Slowly but surely, my brain (and instincts) took over.
No relationship is ever all bad. If nothing else, you learn a lesson (at least one), and if you’re not an idiot, you learn from it as well.
I would never let my wife near my knives or my prized cast iron pans, ever.
This didn’t have anything to do with your decision, did it?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdLCHSh_yIE
I used cast iron pans for many years then I switched to carbon steel pans made in Paris and I never looked back. De Buyer is the brand. I have several Kitchen Knives and I don’t like anyone messing with them either. I wish I had a gas stove, but … well ” You can’t always get what you want”.
All of the above comments are worth reading. Our Scottish grandmother started out as “Daisy” and then became “Mrs. Patmore” (Downton Abbey). She taught our mother how to cook and bake. On days when our mother was busy, we only had cookies for an after-school treat. Most times it was cinnamon buns, Danish pastry, Napoleons – you get the picture. She taught my sister and I how to cook/bake. As a result, I never starved in university, I ate well on about $ 25/week (this was the mid-70’s). I do like to eat out once every 2 weeks as a treat and try either ethnic restaurants or a dish which I do not yet know how to make.
Our Scottish grandmother always said “Money spent on good food is never wasted!”
My Mom’s homemade Cinnamon buns were absolute killers. I have never tasted better. Brown sugar kinda caramelized with butter, that brings back memories. Home made bread toasted on top of the wood stove the best. She had one spot on the top of her wood range that was used for making toast.
Wife works, so I just put drumsticks in the oven, Kansas City BBQ cut with vinegar, and a 1/4 tsp Louisiana Hot Sauce marinated in that for 1 hr. then pepper salt and in the oven at 250 f for 2 hrs. at the 1hr 30m will add the thicker sauce. Then home made sausage gravy (White Sauce) over rice with home made biscuits and whatever veg I find at the time. Low and slow.
I like a cook who turns up the heat! And vinegar-based BBQ sauce is the way to go. I am addicted to Everett & Jones (local Oaktown rib joint sauce) Med. sauce. Got quite a “bite” to it without being totally overpowering
http://www.everettandjones.com/
Try some Med. sauce … you’ll thank me later
This is a delicious rib recipe from a cook, Stefano Faita, who used to have a TV show in Canada. I’ve tried this several times. If you can’t find rhubarb use any fruit as a replacement like apples or blueberries. I’ve tried both. You’ll feel a sense of accomplishment because you’ll have made your own sauce for your ribs. Have all ingredients pre-measured and lined up in a row. Its much easier:
http://www.tln.ca/tlnrecipes/kitchen-stefano-faita-spiced-baby-back-ribs-rhubarb-bbq-sauce/
(The episode for the demo may still be on YouTube)
Never heard of using rhubarb on ribs. I can see it tho, maybe it works like vinegar to loosen the meat and tenderize it a bit. Or like the Chinese sweet and sour idea.
My favorite BBQ is traditional North Carolina BBQ. They use vinegar and it is incredible. North Carolina BBQ is served on a bun with coleslaw on top of the pork. Like a pulled pork idea. Very tasty.
I asked the wife today to pick up some country style ribs tomorrow so I can smoke them for Sunday dinner. County style ribs is not the same as baby back or St. louis style ribs. It is the fatty tips of the ribs with gristle etc. The fat is what gives it the best flavor.
Young fellow is bringing some rainbow trout for me to smoke next week. He is 25 or so and has just started fishing. And he caught some trout and called me to ask what to do with them. I could not believe he had never eaten trout or knew how to cook them. If they are pan size I like them fried in hot butter. I told him how to clean them, and wash them in cold salt water. Then get his pan good and hot with butter and throw them in and cook until the edges of the skin just start to curl, then flip it over and do the other side, as soon as you throw them in, shake some black pepper on them. He called me back in awe, he said he never ate such good fish.
We used to cook them right on the river bank when we went fishing if the weather was nice and have a picnic there. I like alder smoke or willow for fish, a lighter delicate flavor. Does not over power the fish.
Smelts are great too. Haven’t had them in years- Maritimers like to fry them in a batter: first dip cleaned fish in flour, then dip in slightly mixed raw egg mixture, then any bread crumb mixture mixed with the spices of your choice (can use “Shake-n-Bake” instead for the latter) Then fry in vegetable oil.
About the above rib recipe. The fruit, i.e, rhubarb, apple or blueberry is used in the BBQ SAUCE. It adds volume and thickens the sauce. More often than not, I’ve used apples. The WHISKEY is a VITAL ingredient. You’ll like it, guaranteed!
Good luck!
Here’s my Bannock Recipe. My Indian friends fight over it, nothing more dangerous than a Bannock War.
Used to have an elderly Native couple in their 80’s stop at my ranch for tea. I drink coffee but my old Native buddies drink black tea with lots of sugar. Anyway they stop for tea one winter’s day and I had just made fresh Bannock when they knocked on my door. Invited them for tea and Bannock with homemade Jam. Asked who taught me. Well My Mom did, its addictive.
Big problem they told their friends. Family.
3c white flour
1tsp salt
1tbs baking powder. (Not necessary for traditional )
1 1/2 C water
Frypan on med high
Use only real lard which is the best
Or like Crisco if no lard.
The pan is right temp when you drizzle a couple drops water and it dances.
Never fails. My grandkids like it wrapped on a clean stick and cooked on the campfire.
Very close to my recipe as well but sometimes add a couple tbsp. of sugar.
For fun I would dump raw cocoa in just to give it some colour and punch.
Other times, throw raisins or cranberries in it.
It goes well with savoury items like bacon and onions thrown in (don’t add the sugar).
You can also make a simple caramel syrup and pour that on to make it more a dessert treat.
Bannock is extremely versatile.
I had to look up ‘bannock’ … I had NO IDEA. Is that Scottish? I’ve got a wee bit of Scot in my family tree.
It was brought to America by the Scots fur traders originally. Originally it was just flour water and salt. It was a mainstay of the original trappers and mountain men, etc. The natives now claim it as their traditional food. Try my old family recipe, you will find it addictive. True survival food along with Pemmican. Pemmican is the original survival food, dried meat pounded into a powder mixed with fat and berries. Super Food. Very high calories.
Ill give it a try. I love ‘peasant food’. If you can make it in one pan … stews, Bouillabaisse, paella … I love it. This sounds like the perfect accompaniment
Bannock is perfect with a well homemade beef stew. It is even better with a moose stew.
Moose stew … now THERE’S something I need to try before I die.
Very close to my recipe. My grandchildren wrap it around a green maple branch and cook it over a campfire. At the same time they roast wieners. When both are cooked, they put the two together – mmmm!
“The immeasurable value of a man who can work”
My wife’s a good cook. But I do one hell of a toast and peanut butter.
What can I add…?
A lot of the alleged demand for Third World immigration—I’d even say most of it—is the result of “liberated” women’s being too vain or lazy to bother with keeping house or raising their own children, never mind doing any real cooking.
Modern women have better things to do than that outside the home—namely, find men to seduce who are better looking or richer (or both) than their current victims. And Justin will be happy to bring in Negresses happy to do the “women’s work” for nearly nothing.
My daughter lives in a nice, upscale part of Orange Co. … where the women all “get work done”. She has heard more than one bar conversation between women … comparing their “starter husbands”. Wealthy older men who they have no use for, other than to take HALF of all his STUFF. No morality whatsoever. Pigs and thieves … regardless of their bustlines.
Kenji, I think there is another word that applies to those women.
To be “polite”, we used to call them “women of negotiable virtue”. The value scale seems to run from “you had me at ‘hello'” to “you can’t afford me”, often in the same person, depending on the accoster.
My Wife didn’t need her wonderful cooking skills to steal my heart. She did it with one look with her luminous eyes. But when she’s cooking dinner everybody wants an invite.
Captain:
That’s a profoundly great post (I teared up as I was reading it; had to quit, and come back to it later). It’s how I was raised, and live, thanks to my maternal grandmother, my mother, my father, my wife and my sister. Some say I am privileged: I am not privileged: everyday brings on a whole new list of hard work; it’s what normal people do…
My mother saved my father from destitution, made him complete his education (before marriage), and go to have a great career — just ’cause she loved him.
Thank you.
A little history. When Queen Victoria was alive, it was recounted that when she would travel the countryside visiting her subjects. She would never consider entering a home no matter how humble. Without 1st being invited or asking permission. That is how high in esteem she held the importance of the families home. And how important families were to the British Empire which spanned 1/4 of the globe. We have gone badly astray somewhere.
Wow. I’d never heard that story. That’s how we should all live. Never behaving ‘regally’, but humbly, respecting the values of home, hearth, and family over all other trappings of life.
I am lucky to live on a street populated by young families with broods of young kids. There are currently about two dozen little kids living in my cul de sac. I have no idea how they can afford to live here, but they’re doing what my wife and I did … moving into an ‘unaffordable’ neighborhood where the public schools are great, because they’re populated by the children of highly educated, highly motivated parents who value education (and family values) just as we do.
And CA is running out of safe, culturally monolithic, neighborhoods such as mine. THAT is why home values are rising so quickly in CA. My neighborhood is one of the REAL sanctuary cities. A sanctuary FROM the sanctuary cities and sanctuary State of CA. It’s too dangerous to live in the ‘urban’ wastelands of CA … San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Los Angeles, San Jose. So young families sell everything, beg, borrow, and promise … just so they can raise their families in a MONO … not MULTI cultural suburban oasis. You think there was “white flight” to the suburbs in the 1960’s and 70’s? You ain’t seen nothin yet.
They say that a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach… that’s only after other organs have been notified. :p
Happy spouse, happy house.
One makes breakfast, the other makes dinner.
I worked in restaurants to put myself through university, so I learned about cooking, and I’ve been practicing for over 30 years. Currently, my GF is a family lawyer, grossing over $200k, and I’m looking for work, so guess who does the cooking?
But more than the food on the table, the healthy hearts, and the cost savings, I cook for us a family. She has a 26 year old son and 23 year old daughter who live with us. The son has had a brain tumour since he was 8, and that caused so much stress, her husband developed alcoholism, and he died about ten years ago.
Even before he died, the four of them rarely sat down at a table for dinner; most were just eaten alone, in front of a TV. They hardly ever cooked, getting delivery or take-out 3-4 times a week. Since I’ve taken over the job, we all sit down together, and talk about our day. My GF tells me that it’s an incredible experience for her kids, since they’ve never had it before.
And my GF tells me it’s an incredible experience for her, as well. There’s a lot of stress in her job, and she really enjoys coming home to find a balanced and nicely presented meal on the table. And it gives me a lot of satisfaction as well, as I know I am making everyone’s life better, in many different ways.
I give the kids a sense of family and constancy they have never known
I give my GF relief from the stress of grocery shopping, menu planning, food storage and prep, and cooking
I save us money by shopping to flyers, freezing/storing stuff, buying unprocessed food, not having to throw out as much, and of course, not having to order out
I keep us healthy by preparing balanced meals with lots of fresh vegetables, and fewer carbs
It’s a role reversal, of course, but like I said, she grosses over $200k, and I’m a 63-year old fart who seems to be invisible in the market place. And, as a family lawyer, she is often arguing for a division of assets between a non-working woman and her husband, and she makes the argument that keeping the house, cooking, etc. do have value; in our case, she tells me, she is the one benefiting from my labour, and she knows how much it’s worth to her.
If not for my old male values that I should be bringing in the money, I’d be perfectly content with this situation. It amazes me that so many women scorn it.
Nice story, and family is so important. My wife is a good cook, and she does the fancy cooking, the traditional family meals. When it is a family deal, meaning a special day like Christmas she does it all. I do the dishes and clean up because she cooks so many fancy things. And it all has to arrive on time. Then we all dress up including any kids and put on our best manners. And Grandma instructs the youngun’s on proper table manners. Usually one of those little boogers eventually catches me breaking a rule and say, Grandma how come PawPaw is not doing that, she says well he is PawPaw he can do what he wants but you can’t now sit straight and get your elbows off the table and quit talking with food in your mouth. ha ha ha.
People who do not learn to cook are missing out on some of life’s most enjoyable experiences.
ps. Never eat anything that comes in a box.