Cooking: one of the lost arts.
By marguicha
@marguicha (215640)
Chile
July 21, 2011 3:55pm CST
I was browsing mylot just now and I came to a post about mayonnaise. I discovered that the only person of all that answered the post who could make a homemade mayo was me. I make it the easy way in a minute with a hand blender. And if I want it to be really the best, I do it by hand with a fork and just the yolk of the egg. It takes longer (maybe 5 minutes).
Some years ago, I discovered that one of my nephews, then 12, had never seen water boiling. OMG!!! And I suppose there are many people in this world who don´t know that chicken have heads and legs.
I know they know other things. I know a 5 year old can give me a lesson in computing and probably knows all the posibilities of a blackberry (NOT the fruit 
) But do they know how to interact with other people face to face? Do they know how to make a salad dressing without recurring to a ready made expensive jar? Can they make cheap and healthy meals from scratch? I feel that the time is coming when people better pick up that knowledge. Jobs are scarce and by all means it´s cheaper to eat a wholesome casserole full of goodies than a burger at MacDonald´s.
What do you think of this, friends? Do you think it´s worth it giving it a try? I don´t spend more than half an hour at the kitchen to make dishes suited for kings.
Share!
) But do they know how to interact with other people face to face? Do they know how to make a salad dressing without recurring to a ready made expensive jar? Can they make cheap and healthy meals from scratch? I feel that the time is coming when people better pick up that knowledge. Jobs are scarce and by all means it´s cheaper to eat a wholesome casserole full of goodies than a burger at MacDonald´s.
What do you think of this, friends? Do you think it´s worth it giving it a try? I don´t spend more than half an hour at the kitchen to make dishes suited for kings.
Share!4 people like this
19 responses
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
21 Jul 11
Hi marguicha 
Yes I love to cook and can whip up a meal from scratch quickly too. So as Long as I have my ingredients there is no planning in my kitchen as I get to it. lol
Yes sadly there are a lot of things that technology is allowing many today to fore go healthy and much more qualities in life. It is the convenience that some will go after and forget that creating our own does not take much time. How many times at a fast food restaurant we wait as long as it would have taken to whip something healthier and quicker at home.
One thing though I have no idea how to make mayonnaise and would love to get your recipe too. I am the only one who will eat mayonnaise here but I love it and if it were home made I would love it that much more. Yikes would that be good for me. lol I still want it.
Yes I love to cook and can whip up a meal from scratch quickly too. So as Long as I have my ingredients there is no planning in my kitchen as I get to it. lol
Yes sadly there are a lot of things that technology is allowing many today to fore go healthy and much more qualities in life. It is the convenience that some will go after and forget that creating our own does not take much time. How many times at a fast food restaurant we wait as long as it would have taken to whip something healthier and quicker at home.
One thing though I have no idea how to make mayonnaise and would love to get your recipe too. I am the only one who will eat mayonnaise here but I love it and if it were home made I would love it that much more. Yikes would that be good for me. lol I still want it. @marguicha (215640)
• Chile
21 Jul 11
If you scroll up, you´ll find the recipe. It seems that my recipe is getting some fans
. The hand blender one is healthier, because you use the whole egg. AND it´s so easy.
I always make a batch or two when I have barbecues. I use it in the potato salad and for coleslaw. The rest, I crush a clove of garlic and eat it either with warm french bread or with raw veggies (celery, cawliflower, carrot).
. The hand blender one is healthier, because you use the whole egg. AND it´s so easy.
I always make a batch or two when I have barbecues. I use it in the potato salad and for coleslaw. The rest, I crush a clove of garlic and eat it either with warm french bread or with raw veggies (celery, cawliflower, carrot).2 people like this
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
21 Jul 11
MMM I just copied it and will be making it soon. Thank you my dear friend.
1 person likes this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
21 Jul 11
I'd love for you to pm me your mayo recipe as well, we use mayo ourselves, and they're $6 per bottle, at a good price, too. Kinda expensive.
I try to make my own stuff as much as I'm able, even our own cakes, I'm still trying to get a handle on making a nice fluffy plain cake.
2 people like this
@marguicha (215640)
• Chile
21 Jul 11
Dear friend,
The recip is here. Scroll up. I don´t feel I´m breaking rules becaus it´s in my words and it´s my very own recipe. I suggest you read my other comments for mayo ideas.
AND there is also a suggestion for cakes, although I can PM you the easy cake I make in 2 seconds. I don´t evn measure much now. And I am making my cakes with oil instead of butter (less cholesterol) and put less eggs a a bit more of milk.
3 people like this
@finlander60 (1804)
• United States
25 Jul 11
Another thing you can do is use applesauce in place of oil or butter. Masihi, for a nice fluffy cake try using just the whites of the eggs, and don't overbeat the mixture, just beat until you have no lumps.
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
21 Jul 11
I've been pretty much doing a lot of things on my own since the last down turn late 2008, I've grown a little wiser now by saving unlike before where I bought everything as if there was no tomorrow. Our family had been exploring many things we could do on our own without compromising the quality of life, save , save ,save before another financial crisis hits all of us again.
Oh Mayo, I learned to make it in a chemistry experiment, actually it's an example of a colloidal suspension, classic example of water mixing with oil
. Our family had been exploring many things we could do on our own without compromising the quality of life, save , save ,save before another financial crisis hits all of us again.
Oh Mayo, I learned to make it in a chemistry experiment, actually it's an example of a colloidal suspension, classic example of water mixing with oil@marguicha (215640)
• Chile
22 Jul 11
You can have lots of fun cooking by just daydreaming and then placing the ingredients in a pot. I make a lot of chep things, but basically I keep in mind that I want them to taste well. The spanish tortilla (eggs, onions and potatoes) are a classic example of something that is awesom, cheap and healthy. The italian fritatta is another thing to check. Both can be had with a salad on the side or, if you need more food, you can make a legume soup from scratch as a startr.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (215640)
• Chile
23 Jul 11
I would advise you get rcipes from the search engine at the web. When you want to learn a new dish, some sites even have videos step by step. My recipes now are of the sort, a handful of this, a pinch of that and throw in whatever you have at the fridge.
1 person likes this
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
22 Jul 11
Wow! Spanish tortilla and Fritata, PM me recipes if you have time friend..please, por favor
1 person likes this
@marguicha (215640)
• Chile
21 Jul 11
I´m doing a copy-paste from the other post.
I usually make my own mayo with a hand blender. It has its own jar and I place 1 whole egg, about 3/4 cup of sunflower oil (this is the one thing I don´t do with olive oil), a pinch of salt and the juice of 1/2 lemon.
Then you put the blender at the bottom of this jar. If it has 2 speeds, use the lowest. Stay at the bottom about 1 min and then slowly bring it up. End of the story and the mayo is thick and ready to use.
For appetisers, I use part of it crushing one clove of garlic and serving it with raw marinated cawliflower (cheap and elegant)
2 people like this
@finlander60 (1804)
• United States
25 Jul 11
Here is another thing you might be willing to try. Instead of making mashed potatoes, make mashed cauliflower. Most folks cannot tell the difference between them if you really blend them up good. They might notice a slightly different flavor, but that is about all that they will notice.
@rambansal (574)
• India
22 Jul 11
Dear Marguich, you touched me by raising a question of my choice. On the last Mother's day, when everyone was happily posting his/her feelings about mothers, I posted my feelings like this -'Mother, I remember you when I get a tasty meal as you used to prepare, and also remember you when I miss a tasty meal you used to prepare. I need no Mother's day to remember you'.
In India, it has been the women's job to cook meals for the family to satisfy and please every member of the family. Moreover, different members used to ask for their favorite dishes, and the women were pleased to prepare one. With every change of climate, there used to be special dishes for the occasion. But nothing, there is nothing like that. Men have forgotten to ask for their chosen dishes, and the women have forgotten preparing anything worthy. Food has become just another casual formality. This is having considerable impact on health of the people.
By the way, I remember, during a rainy day, when most of the family members stay at home, my mother used to make 'cheela' - a fine layer of gram's flour made fluid by adding water to it, spread uniformly on the hot pan and added with few drops of oil on the edges. This is still my favorite dish. Now, I prepare it myself on almost every rainy day and enjoy. I find no young women of the village can prepare this thing now.
@marguicha (215640)
• Chile
22 Jul 11
I am very unhappy that people around the world are eating bad, many of them out of lack of interest. I have seem teens in the US that are already deformed past changing. 
So many times I say: "If I were the President..." But that´s not enough. Rich countries should eat well but they don´t. And I know that the Earth´s food is nough for everyone, if they cared to send it where there´s famine.
And all that brings us to this subject. People don´t understand that part of love is a house that smells with cooking. And you can say: today it´s my turn, I will have my favorite dish. My Mom used to ask us what we wanted for our birthdays. I still remember a terrible occation. My brother had asked for fried cheese empanadas and my mother brought a lot to the table. My father was th a pediatrician and was starting in science. Suddenly, he took a look at my brother, rose and made him look one way and another, took away the fod and sent him to bed. My brother has hepatitis A. One month of bed, nothing fried.
For Christmas, it was cakes and kuchens as it´s Summer here.
I think tht food should be respected and the cook (whether woman or man) too.
So many times I say: "If I were the President..." But that´s not enough. Rich countries should eat well but they don´t. And I know that the Earth´s food is nough for everyone, if they cared to send it where there´s famine.
And all that brings us to this subject. People don´t understand that part of love is a house that smells with cooking. And you can say: today it´s my turn, I will have my favorite dish. My Mom used to ask us what we wanted for our birthdays. I still remember a terrible occation. My brother had asked for fried cheese empanadas and my mother brought a lot to the table. My father was th a pediatrician and was starting in science. Suddenly, he took a look at my brother, rose and made him look one way and another, took away the fod and sent him to bed. My brother has hepatitis A. One month of bed, nothing fried.
For Christmas, it was cakes and kuchens as it´s Summer here.
I think tht food should be respected and the cook (whether woman or man) too.1 person likes this
@RBBantiles (347)
• Philippines
22 Jul 11
It's very nice to read threads like these. It gives me an assurance that everything's all right with the world. Cooking is certainly an art, an expression of culture and of love.
But unfortunately, I'm not good at it. In an office where I was working before where we rotated the task of cooking, all my colleagues would find reasons (meetings outside, got delayed, attending a seminar, invited to meals by friends and colleagues, whatever) NOT to be at meal time when I was the cook... hahahah...
2 people like this
@marguicha (215640)
• Chile
22 Jul 11
I got married at 18 years of age and could not boil water. All my parents asked of me is that I study as I was very good at that. In fact, I finished school 2 years ahead of the normal age. But I fel in love an I got married.
At first I had a helper. But once, about a year after I got married, the helper decided that she would go away to live with har BF. She didn´t say so. She just did not come back and I had taken out meat to make a soup with big chunncks of veggies that we call "cazuela" in Spanish.
My husband would be home for lunch and I had that mat. I sat to think. I need water (I´ll imagine you have to put it boiling) and I´ll add the ingredients throwing the softer at the end and the meat at the beginning. BINGO!!! It turned out fine. The potatoes wer cooked, the meat was tender, the squash and carrot too and if it lacked some salt, we could put more.
Start ptacticing and then, when you are ready, invite one of your collages for diner. The word will get around.
Start ptacticing and then, when you are ready, invite one of your collages for diner. The word will get around.1 person likes this
@marguicha (215640)
• Chile
22 Jul 11
Sorry for the spelling. I have to change the keyboard. Some letters won´t get typed
1 person likes this
@RBBantiles (347)
• Philippines
22 Jul 11
OKAY, I will experiment more on cooking. Thanks for the encouragement, Friend Marguicha.
1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
24 Jul 11
I think it would be better to go back to basics because there are so many chemicals added to foods now that it is anything but healthy. I do usually eat processed foods right now because I don't have access to a full kitchen and my fridge is too small to hold a lot of food so I have to get things that don't need to be refrigerated. I can't wait to move into a place where I have a full sized refrigerator and freezer and a stove.
1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
24 Jul 11
I wish I had room in my room to put a small electric oven. As it is, the slow cooker is on the sink next to the bathroom. I could probably put something under the tv on the dresser since I don't use the tv. I just don't have enough electrical outlets in this room to run everything that I have. I hope that you always feel like eating since sometimes I didn't. Have a great week!!!
1 person likes this
@marguicha (215640)
• Chile
24 Jul 11
I stove is necessary, but a small fridge is enough and I use a lot more a very small electric oven than the big oven from my old stove. In that little oven I can even make cakes and a whole roasted chicken.
I am eating a lot less meat than before now, mainly because they are softer and I have a sore in my palatedue to chemo
1 person likes this
@savypat (20216)
• United States
22 Jul 11
When I cook from scratch as it's called these days, I always get raves and many ask for the directions, I can watch their eyes glaze over when it becomes clear that I don't open a pre packaged this and that and just combine them. So even if it's cheaper I don't think anyone I know is ready for the good old fashioned way yet.
@marguicha (215640)
• Chile
23 Jul 11
AS I say, some children don´t know that chicks come originally with feathers, heads and feet.
I would never think of buying a can of legumes full of sodium and other stuff. I buy a kilo of beans, lentils or garbanzo beans, soak them overnight and boil them in my pressure cooker (It´s 10 min for lentils, a bit more for the other two). Only with that, I´m saving a lot in the cans and the cooking.
As I cook all of it, I then freeze what I will not use. I cook them with no salt so they won´t be too salty later.
Preparing them takes few minutes, mostly dicing the onions and going to the garden for the bay leaf. I don´t follow recipes anymore: I throw a handful of this or that, depending on what´s in the fridge. I try to use whatever has more time there.
.
It´s a pity people don´t learn how to cook. Now you can even get lessons with videos and step by step directions online. WE did not have that.
.
I would never think of buying a can of legumes full of sodium and other stuff. I buy a kilo of beans, lentils or garbanzo beans, soak them overnight and boil them in my pressure cooker (It´s 10 min for lentils, a bit more for the other two). Only with that, I´m saving a lot in the cans and the cooking.
As I cook all of it, I then freeze what I will not use. I cook them with no salt so they won´t be too salty later.
Preparing them takes few minutes, mostly dicing the onions and going to the garden for the bay leaf. I don´t follow recipes anymore: I throw a handful of this or that, depending on what´s in the fridge. I try to use whatever has more time there..
It´s a pity people don´t learn how to cook. Now you can even get lessons with videos and step by step directions online. WE did not have that. @alottodo (3056)
• Australia
22 Jul 11
I know what you mean some people can't bother cooking at all I always prepare my meals at home I make my own mayo as well and salad dressings...today I just made a chicken curry with coconut cream and mixed vegetables luckily I made quite a bit as my grandson who is 24 came over with a friend and both had a good plate full!
1 person likes this
@marguicha (215640)
• Chile
22 Jul 11
I´m sure your grandson´s love for you includes the flavours and smells that "only grandma can make". That´s what my granddsons say and I´m flattered beyond words.
.1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
24 Jul 11
For a long time I only cooked from a box. However, when we moved into a home of our own, I realized that it is actually fun to present your own work to another person. Therefore, I spend a lot of time making things from scratch to serve to my family. In fact, cooking time is a great bonding time. Yes, my children are only eight and four years old, but they are able to help me cook by pouring ingredients and things for me. And I'm able to teach them a lot. I really wish that there were more people that really enjoyed cooking.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (215640)
• Chile
24 Jul 11
I love to cook and now with chemo I have yet another challeng as there are things I cannot eat and some others that I have problems in eating. I developped a sore in my palate due to chemo about 3 days ago. Until I see the doctor (next wek) I will not put anything I shouldn´t. But I made this awesome cake, very soft and with just 1 egg and 2 whites, oil instead of butter for my cholesterol levels. I didn´t know it would be so good, but I loved it.
@jak2010 (1550)
• Papua New Guinea
22 Jul 11
Yes and No, Because of life style many people do not know how to cook, but such programs like " master chef is helping people to cook and not only that but love cooking. Many workers from other trades take up cooking and it is very moving to see it. I know you love cooking unlike many other who even do not know how to even cook rice, what a pity.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (215640)
• Chile
22 Jul 11
Dear jak,
I have told many people here of the poetic post you once sent me about inviting me for diner. It was about food and about love and about trating me as a Queen. Cooking can be an action of love. It´s a pity that not many people are aware of it.
1 person likes this
@fannitia (2167)
• Bulgaria
23 Jul 11
I don't remember when I made my last mayonnaise, this was years ago! But I used to made it by hand, using only the yolk and a little bit salt of lemon. Then I learned a way to make it lighter. You mix the mayonnaise with some yoghurt and this is a delicious dressing.
Now I work a lot and I don't have time for a homemade mayonnaise. But you are right, time has come to learn the old recipies and the ways to make meals from scratch.
And they are not only cheaper but taste better.
@marguicha (215640)
• Chile
23 Jul 11
Many old recipes that once took a lot time to get done can be put together in little time now with the new gadgets. I save a lot in time and gas with my pressure cooker. And I use so much the hand blender that I call it my magic arm.. I make mayo with that usually and with a whole egg.
As for most food, you prepare everything in no more than 10 minutes and they let it be. It cooks while you are at the computer.
. I make mayo with that usually and with a whole egg.
As for most food, you prepare everything in no more than 10 minutes and they let it be. It cooks while you are at the computer.
@vivamir (671)
•
23 Jul 11
LOL.. I find this post a little funny, but I do also agree with what you are saying marguicha..
The ever increasing reliance upon fast and quick meals are over dominating the more traditional and fun ways of cooking!!
I mean I dont think slaving in a kitchen for 4 hours every night is the way to go..but simple things like cakes, sauces, home made hearty meals..are just a 'beep' away nowadays..
Personally..I eat and cook as much 'home made' food as I can.. I even learnt a few tips by making foods and freezing them for the week ahead! Its great..lol
1 person likes this
@finlander60 (1804)
• United States
25 Jul 11
I have found that my favorite kitchen appliance is my Crock-Pot. You can put everything in it, turn it on and go to work. Come home and supper is ready when you walk in the door. I don't have to be concerned about overcooking, either.
@marguicha (215640)
• Chile
23 Jul 11
I don´t think that even chefs at the best restaurants slave for 4 hours over a dish. All my meals take not much more than 15 minutes to prepare and then I leave them to cook, roast or bake.
I made an awesome and much needed cake yesterday (needed something soft in my mouth) and it took me 5 minutes to put it together. Then I put it in the small electric oven in medium hat for 35 min and came to play at the computer. The oven turns off by itself so I did not have to worry about overcooking.
@shraddha1985 (20)
• Germany
22 Jul 11
I love cooking and hogging. I love to cook new food items on weekends. I love preparing omlette. Just beat the egg in a bowl, add onions, green chillies, coriander leaves, salt to taste. Then add 2 spoon of oil in a pan and put the beaten stuff. Once it is ready, serve it or hog... :)
1 person likes this
@marguicha (215640)
• Chile
22 Jul 11
I like to make omelettes almost from any leftover in the fridge. It´s always a wonder what will come out of it. All are good. With good ingredients, there´s no missing it.
1 person likes this
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
30 Jul 11
I have never tried making my own mayo because my husband only likes Miracle Whip, but I do like to make my own foods and I do like to cook from scratch when I can. I use several quick to serve foods as I am very busy with horses, kids, and I home school. I enjoy what I do though and I am always looking for ways to cut expenses.
I also make my own laundry detergent and I am thinking of making my own dish detergent. I use vinegar as a fabric softner as it is much less expensive.
@kelly10 (678)
•
30 Jul 11
I'm not a confident cook and don't think I realy have any culinary skills, so I will use ready meals when I'm short on time and if I do a spag bol I'll use a ready made sauce, after all I can't really ruin the sauce then.
Althoug I've just said I'm not confident and don't really have any culinary skills I will make some meals and items from scrath. These are stir frys including a sauce, fried rice, potato cakes, cheese sauce, Toad in the Hole, teriyaki sauce, salt and pepper ribs, macaroni cheese with bacon, and a spaghetti dish with a sauce made of cream cheese, pesto, mushrooms and bacon bits. So I don't really cook, but just stick to what I know
@marguicha (215640)
• Chile
30 Jul 11
It seems you know quite a lot. And I bet you can add to your knowledge. Now it´s so easy with cooking TV shows and recipes online with videos and all.
@kelly10 (678)
•
30 Jul 11
I sometimes find following a recipe more confusing. I once decided to make this dish after seeing the recipe online which included a instructional video. It was basically chicken fillets, rice, tomato soup and chicken soup all put in a big dish with boiling water and then cooked in the oven. I watched the video 3 or 4 times and kept reading and re-reading the instructions and had understood it all. It said that all ingredients were to be put in the dish uncooked, including the rice. It was to take around 2 hours and I kept checking it every 30mins or so. I noticed the rice wasn't cooking but I wasn't worried. After the dish had cooked for the required time my boyfriend came home and I removed the dish from the oven. He couldn't work out what I'd cooked. It was cooked chicken in a congealed slop of tomato and chicken soup, with uncooked rice. It was horrible. We removed the chicken and washed the sauce off and chopped it up for the dog and we went to the chippy. I was that annoyed I made my boyfriend check the recipe and video himself and he too agreed that I'd done everything right
@whispers168 (768)
• United States
22 Jul 11
Cooking is a form of art!I don't cook that much but my husband loves to cook.He makes amazing dishes that look too good to even eat.lol.
@koperty3 (1876)
•
26 Jul 11
I find cooking very easy. My partner and me don't eat fast food as we both can cook. My partner even better than me because he is professional cook :). Yes I think people became lazy and they don't know how to cook or even worst they don't want to know. When I was very young my grandma shown me how to make everything so I know how to make mayo :)
@marguicha (215640)
• Chile
30 Jul 11
It is so important to know how to cook from scratch that sometimes it becomes vital. I have started chemo for cancer. The only thing I can eat is hommade food as it´s the only place where I know how clean things are and also what the ingredients are. I´m eating as well as before, because I can cook as well with less spices. And, of curse, I know about clean hands, utensils and kitchen.
