I think there's a difference between *knowing* how to cook and *enjoying* cooking. My husband is a competent enough cook, it's just that it's not something that he really loves to do, so he doesn't seek to do it. But most of the stuff he does make turns out pretty good. So, I don't really believe that there really is anyone who doesn't know how to cook anything at all. Everyone's capable of making *something* -- at least enough that one doesn't starve.
A couple days ago the doctor finally gave me back my pain medicine for my back, so yesterday I made a delicious potato soup, and today I'm using the dark meat that I don't like to eat by itself from a marked down loin I bought last week, to make a pork cabbage soup. Yes that's a lot of soup, but as a single person they are great because I can freeze single servings to eat later on. They help out a lot when on a budget.
He also likes to braid hair, get manicures, likes slumber parties, and thinks Jensen Ackles is just dreamy.
When I was a kid, I once caught my dad in the kitchen cooking -- a rarity around our house. I commenced teasing him about doing "woman's work" (this was 1975, go easy on me), but hushed when he answered, "I ain't got no respect for a man who can't feed himself." The rest of your non sequitur is wonderful humor.
I'll give you a great recipe for curry too if you like. I was going to preempt this by saying that I love cooking also - it's very cathartic I find - but I suppose I don't need to now.
Don't lie, there are certain things every man has done: masturbated, eaten Ramen noodles, and masturbated while eating Ramen noodles.
They were a college staple -- if for no other reason than that they were the perfect food for a hangover. More recently, though, I discovered this great recipe for a salad with ramen -- crushed noodles, with shredded cabbage, sesame seeds, chicken, almonds, and a sweet dressing.
Nope. Not once have I consumed the Ramen, an never will I. Though, I am upset that means I cannot fulfill all the ways to masturbate. I've come so close.
Respect the Ramen! I still like to use it as a starting point for a quick lunch. Add large shrimp, lots of spices, some nuts or water chestnuts for a bit of crunch, some chili sesame oil just before serving, and you have one of many possible tasty lunches.
A few chunks of leftover roast chicken, a pat of butter, and an egg. Some fresh ground black pepper and a few herbs. Yum.
I can cook. But it was my profession for the better part of a decade. Likewise most of my dude friends can cook something--beer and barbecue is a sacred thing here in Southern California. I know all you ramen haters are talking about the packaged stuff, but real ramen is one of the best things in the world (to me anyway). Also, I agree with Cogito--you can do a great many things with the packaged stuff. If I remember correctly, I put a few pictures up in my profile, of random things I made at home.
Yeah, I can cook. I feel sorry for men who don't know how. It can be fun and is always rewarding. I typically follow some recipes I find online, but after that, I get a little experimental and try different variations. Normally, I explore frnch food and traditions, but right now, for instance, I've taken interest in Eastern cuisine (Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Korean). Every now and again, I go out to a restaurant, try something new, and write down what it's called if I like it. Then I look up recipes to see if I can do it. My primary limiting factor is money for resources. I also enjoy baking from time to time. It's really a matter of getting a taste/desire for something, looking up recipes, seeing if we have what I need, and trying things. When it comes to cooking "regular" daily meals, I've "mastered" breakfast and still have to look up certain dinners. But I'm functional. I've gained some sense. I also have a friend who has spent a little time as a chef, working in a couple restaurants, looking up things in food science. Food acumen is the best acumen hehe. At a basic level it all comes down to can I survive on my own if I have to cook for myself. The answer is yes. And people generally like my food.
@DLeo, that is horrifying and appetizing at the same time! I want to give the recipe to someone like Gordon Ramsay and challenge him to make something more delicious and disgusting.
I can cook, not amazingly well but I can. I like to experiment, and my 'special dish' is curry pasta.
