Ok, well that’s not really me, but it was my Mom when she was first married. I honestly think that between us, we would have made one great housewife – I cook and she cleans.  My  father-in-law would have shriveled up without a microwave, and some surprisingly astute business women I know claim kitchen disability as well.  But I think the truth is that they don’t want to cook – not that they can’t.

 Now I confess that learning to cook can have it’s ups and downs. (We will not talk about the inedible disasters that have graced my garbage can.)  I know for a fact that my son learned how to cook before he left home, but the first time he prepared dinner in his college room, he turned the burner on high, threw in the chicken breast, and set off the fire alarm – then he didn’t try again for a year.

Dinner Disaster

Worst case, anyone can boil some water in the microwave, add instant rice and slice pre-cooked chicken on top, open a jar of apple sauce for a side – and voila!.  Just don’t try to get me to eat it. That might count as instant dorm food, but not dinner.

How to Bake Like a Pro

Right out of the starting gate you can impress everyone by baking – dare I say with a little TSG beer bread (just add beverage).  You can even go to the website and download one sheet with over 15 variations, and you’ll be a master chef right away.  Branch out –steam some fresh vegetables and spring with Tearless Onion and Chives – then you can add the precooked chicken breast – and you’ve come a long way in one day.

Learn How to Cook

To learn to cook, I recommend you find a friend who knows you well and start simple – like spaghetti

1.  For entertainment as well as ideas you can go to You tube and watch “how to co

Click here to view the embedded video.

2. A drier series from Howcookingworks.com  - competent but not entertainment

3. You can also bone up on you skills from online sites so you look like like a pro when your mother-in-law arrives. 

4. There are lots of food shows on TV that can help, like Semi Home Made with Sandra Lee.  This is sort of an updated Campbell’s soup approach mixing some cooking with already prepared foods for a polished look that will help you gain confidence .  

Personally, I’d go buy a book,  – but sooner or later you just have to  take the plunge and start !

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