For those of you that cook

My oven has such a tricky thermostat that I HAVE to check it every so often--just to make sure it is cooking, or not buring. If I'm cooking on the stovetop, i frequently stir the goods--again, to make sure they are not sticking. I also have been know to completely forget about the dinner in the oven, just to find burned SOMETHING in the oven the next morning. SO lucky we didn't start a fire! LOL! I attributed the burning smell to cleaning the oven (which I forget I do as well!) I guess I'm saying I should just stay out of the kitchen. LOL!!

It really depends on what I'm cooking. A brand new recipe I might pay a lot more attention to. I use a timer, so for things that go in the oven and have a set time I rarely check on until the timer goes off. Most of the time I am cooking multiple items at once, so I'll be in the kitchen and occasionally stir such and such dish while prepping for another one.

As an experienced contest cook, I've developed a sense of "rhythm" when it comes to meal preparation and cooking, it' sort of like musicianship, which is another thing that I do... Timing, I find is learned in the earlier stages of development, and it becomes second nature as one grows... I can visualize each stage of different portions on a particular set of foods as they cook, and it doesn't seem unusual for me to dream about prepping a meal, including shopping for the ingredients at all! :) Great question! A recipe calculator for you: http://www.cookingbynumbers.com

I have to stick around. I'm awful with timing, I never have the different dishes done at the same time or anything like that. Fortunately, my apartment is very small, and so my computer is right next to the kitchen.

I ussually use a timer,but at the same time I know when is ready...

It depends on what I'm cooking. Some things need constant attention and some things can be popped into the oven and you dont have to worry about them until the timer rings. I usually set the timer for 5 minutes less than the recipe calls for and check it. Then I can decide how much longer it needs.

It depends on the dish i m making and for whom i m making. if i have to make it for some guests i stick to it like a monitor, if i have to cook a special dish and i know the timings i pop in every now and then and i m making my regular meal, then i sit as i knowthe exact timings now.

I am not good at timing, i always check the status of food i am cooking from time to time. I always monitor so it wont burn. Before i tried doing it but i ended up with burnt food which no one would eat. Waste of time, waste of energy and waste of money.

Ya I'm just one who's doing that, I like monitoring the one that's in the stove. I just wnat to make sure that the ingredients are very well cook specially the meat and the vegetables are not over cooked.

When I am cooking something I always pop in and try to taste what I am cooking that even my wife and my mom tells me that when it is done it would almost be half consumed by my constant popping in, funny isn't it? He he he

i pop in every now ans then to check the status of the meal and in between i do the other cores in the kitchen,