15 votes

The joylessness of cooking during the pandemic: "In theory, I love to cook. But I am so, so sick of cooking."

10 comments

  1. [9]
    cfabbro
    (edited )
    Link
    Weird. It's been the exact opposite for me. Thanks to the pandemic, I have rediscovered some of my passion and love for cooking. I recently bought an Aerogarden which I have been using to grow...

    Weird. It's been the exact opposite for me. Thanks to the pandemic, I have rediscovered some of my passion and love for cooking. I recently bought an Aerogarden which I have been using to grow fresh herbs, have made a ton of new dishes over the last few months, and just the other day I even made rice pudding and french toast for the first time in decades. It's been one of the few silver linings to this whole mess for me, although my waistline is definitely paying the price for it. ;)

    10 votes
    1. [2]
      teaearlgraycold
      Link Parent
      I feel kind of guilty saying this, but the pandemic has been very good for me. The dramatic change it forced on me has gotten me to be more physically active and I started cooking/baking for the...

      I feel kind of guilty saying this, but the pandemic has been very good for me. The dramatic change it forced on me has gotten me to be more physically active and I started cooking/baking for the first time.

      9 votes
      1. joplin
        Link Parent
        Same here. I've actually lost weight, probably because I'm not eating out during my work day. We're also eating nearly 100% of our leftovers instead of letting them sit in the fridge until they...

        Same here. I've actually lost weight, probably because I'm not eating out during my work day. We're also eating nearly 100% of our leftovers instead of letting them sit in the fridge until they rot and then throwing them out, so it's economical, as well!

        7 votes
    2. [4]
      FrankGrimes
      Link Parent
      Same here - I've been really enjoying cooking a lot more, and trying new things. By the way - how does that Aerogarden work for you? I've been looking at making a small setup using wire shelving...

      Same here - I've been really enjoying cooking a lot more, and trying new things.

      By the way - how does that Aerogarden work for you? I've been looking at making a small setup using wire shelving and some 4' LED grow lights (though I still haven't found a definitive answer on which color spectrum is best for herbs). It just wouldn't be nearly as compact and nice looking...

      5 votes
      1. [3]
        cfabbro
        Link Parent
        It's been working amazing for us... so much so that we're actually struggling to keep up with its production, even with almost daily use. And I absolutely love it, and the wonderful smells it...

        It's been working amazing for us... so much so that we're actually struggling to keep up with its production, even with almost daily use. And I absolutely love it, and the wonderful smells it gives off!

        But as I mentioned to a bunch of people who asked similar questions in Tildes Discord, I honestly wouldn't recommend it. It's super convenient, since the light timing is automated, and it handily reminds you when to add more fertilizer, more water, clean out the hydroponic container, etc... but it's also incredibly expensive for what it is, and so it's probably better to just go the DIY route instead.

        p.s. The aerogarden model we have has a 48 watt "full spectrum" (white, red & blue) LED grow light in it.

        4 votes
        1. [2]
          FrankGrimes
          Link Parent
          Good to know - thank you! They really do look pretty neat - I'm glad you're enjoying yours. I will likely start with a really basic DIY rack with light and see how it goes. Now, if only I could...

          Good to know - thank you! They really do look pretty neat - I'm glad you're enjoying yours. I will likely start with a really basic DIY rack with light and see how it goes. Now, if only I could actually find somewhere to put it.

          2 votes
          1. cfabbro
            Link Parent
            NP! And be sure to share some pics if you wind up going through with it. I would love to see what your setup eventually looks like. :)

            NP! And be sure to share some pics if you wind up going through with it. I would love to see what your setup eventually looks like. :)

            1 vote
    3. [2]
      reifyresonance
      Link Parent
      I've also been cooking a lot more and really enjoying it, although because I see everything that goes into my food, I've been eating a lot healthier. You want /how/ much sugar in that recipe?

      I've also been cooking a lot more and really enjoying it, although because I see everything that goes into my food, I've been eating a lot healthier. You want /how/ much sugar in that recipe?

      4 votes
      1. cfabbro
        (edited )
        Link Parent
        Hah, I had a moment exactly like that when I was making rice pudding the other day! "2 cups of sugar? You can't be serious!" And even though I decided to go with only 1 cup instead, it was still...

        You want /how/ much sugar in that recipe?

        Hah, I had a moment exactly like that when I was making rice pudding the other day!

        "2 cups of sugar? You can't be serious!" And even though I decided to go with only 1 cup instead, it was still way too sweet. So next time I make it I intend to halve the sugar again, and put some nuts (pecans or walnuts) in it instead of so many raisins, since I prefer an almost meal-worthy rice pudding rather than a super sweet dessert one that I can only have a tiny bowl of.

        p.s. I am open to suggestions on other ingredients to include from anyone else who also enjoys a heartier rice pudding. ;)

        2 votes
  2. HowdyFartner
    Link
    The author sounds depressed, which is quite understandable given the circumstances. I am sorry to hear that and I hope things improve for them. I have been cooking up a storm learning all kinds of...

    The author sounds depressed, which is quite understandable given the circumstances. I am sorry to hear that and I hope things improve for them.

    I have been cooking up a storm learning all kinds of new dishes. I have found lots of new grocery stores and integrated new ingredients. Moreover, working from home, I can sneak in time between meetings to cook really long and tricky dishes. Dishes that take many hours used to be reserved for weekends only. Now I make amazing dinners on weekdays. No more exhausting weekday commute before jumping into a dinner that needs to be done ASAP when I get home.

    1 vote