NIFR: cooking v baking

kthappy76 · April 2010

So it looks like we have a lot of cooks and bakers here... Can anyone please help me figure out why I HATE cooking and like to bake? I haven't been able to figure it out. Do you like to cook or do you just do it because you/DH like to eat? Did you always like to cook or did you take a class or something that got you going?

I don't have a sweet tooth. The only things I can think of is that it might be the monotony of everyday cooking that I dislike (thankfully my DH is an amazing cook), and that my type A personality is better suited to measuring out everything just so, which doesn't really work as well for cooking as it does for baking. Any other ideas?

LCB34 · April 2010

I love to do both but, my DH hates sweets. So, if I make anything it either gets thrown out or I eat it all and feel guilty. I started throwing my interests into cooking b/c it was something that DH and I both enjoyed consuming.

I am not a big measurer so cooking is much better for that. I also think that it is easier to experiment while cooking and not have a major disaster than it is with baking.

MoFree · April 2010

I only occasionally bake and I can't say that I love it. You have to follow directions exactly if you want the recipe to work and I am always tempted to change some element. What I love about cooking is not only that I get to eat really delicious, well seasoned food, hopefully from organic, locally grown ingredients, but because it is also a creative outlet.

I have also learned that just because a recipe is printed in a magazine, in a blog or a cookbook, it does not mean that it is a good one or that you will enjoy eating it.

My only advice would be to not try anything too complicated, that has too many ingredients and also don't force yourself to love it if you don't.

NursieNurse · April 2010

I too would rather bake than cook, My reason however is that I am a good baker and not so much a cook. Baking uses exact recipies where cooking in my opinion leaves some room for creativity which I am not in the kitchen.

However as of lately we have been trying to lose some weight and I have been using recipies and my confidence level is up. my DH is also an amazing cook so I think I was a little intimidated that it wouldn't be good enough. Lately though he has been impressed

scatterbrainliz · April 2010

I think some dishes require a lot of ingredients and baking isn't really consisted of too many ingredients. Cooking requires lots of dishes so you may have more cleanup vs baking which might be contained to 1 bowl.

If you're ever in a cooking rut, I suggest you to check out foodgawker.com

flutterby918 · April 2010

I love to do both!! But, seeing as how it's just the two of us, I don't bake as much because it makes too much (so I just send it to work w/him!), but I think you are right, type A = baking (measuring and perfection are a huge part of baking!).

Try subscriping to cooking magazines, that way you can try new stuff and there are recipes to follow.

krissyh21 · April 2010

I'm the opposite, I like to cook but hate baking. I don't have the patience to bake. I like immediate gratification.

I always liked to cook, I would help my mom and g-ma all the time in the kitchen when I was growing up. I then got into the culinary field, I decided I did not like to do it commercially and ALL day long in a hot kitchen. I still like to do it at home though.

I will admit, it would be nice for someone else to do it for a change.

I would start with recipes you know you will like for instance, if you like Chix broccoli and ziti at a restaurant. Then start incorporating things with ingredients you know you will like, like chicken and broccoli but now stuffed. Then venture out to new things.

Hoosiergurl · April 2010

Do you like to cook or do you just do it because you/DH like to eat? I prefer to bake but I cook because we have to eat. I generally bake sweets and breads (and I can make a great martini, but I digress). Dh can't cook for anything! Although I have to say that the Food Network does get me excited to try different recipes for everyday cooking. It is soooo difficult coming up with different things to eat everyday.

Did you always like to cook or did you take a class or something that got you going? My mom taught me everything I know. She also taught some friends of mine as well. I have also got some ideas from the FN.

I don't have a sweet tooth. The only things I can think of is that it might be the monotony of everyday cooking that I dislike (thankfully my DH is an amazing cook), and that my type A personality is better suited to measuring out everything just so, which doesn't really work as well for cooking as it does for baking. Any other ideas? I would take little steps. Start with something pretty easy to cook and then work your way up. The FN has a good system of rating their recipes from easy to difficult - I say start there.

albjag · April 2010

I'm the same way. I love baking! Maybe b/c I like sweets best!

And I've never been good at judging when meat is done. Plus MH is so picky- so it would limit what I make unless I want leftovers for a week. LOL

OrangeSmoke · April 2010

DH and I always have this conversation.

I love to cook but hate to bake. He loves to bake but hates to cook. We have a theory it's right brain/left brain thing. Cooking is more about having a feel of the process for me. You throw a little bit of this in, a little bit of that in and it tastes good. Baking requires precision and following directions, which he really likes but I find it boring.

lmc5004 · April 2010

If it makes you feel better i LOVE cooking and hate baking. never could figure out why?! maybe we are special

Temp590840000005378 · April 2010

I'm opposite of you completely, I don't like to bake at all but I love to cook. It's because I can just wing it when it comes to cooking and you can't really do that when baking, I'm not good at following recipes

kthappy76 · April 2010

OrangeSmoke:

DH and I always have this conversation.

I love to cook but hate to bake. He loves to bake but hates to cook. We have a theory it's right brain/left brain thing. Cooking is more about having a feel of the process for me. You throw a little bit of this in, a little bit of that in and it tastes good. Baking requires precision and following directions, which he really likes but I find it boring.

I think at the core, this is totally it. But the funny thing is, my DH loves to cook and he's an engineer. But he finds it relaxing, I guess since it's a change of pace/more creative. But it just stresses me out thinking about it. I need to step up my game, as he's made cookies (!!) twice in the last month, and I fear I will soon be completely obsolete in the kitchen...

NICOLE032 · April 2010

I prefer cooking over baking. I actually LOVE to cook..never took any classes or anything. I think my addiction started a few years back when I was introduced to the food network channel...and of course growing up watching Paula Dean with my Grandmom. Baking really isnt my thing... I can follow a recipe but I could never just come up with a dessert or bread recipe on my own & it actually be edible...lol

AuburnBride06 · April 2010

kthappy76:
OrangeSmoke:

DH and I always have this conversation.

I love to cook but hate to bake. He loves to bake but hates to cook. We have a theory it's right brain/left brain thing. Cooking is more about having a feel of the process for me. You throw a little bit of this in, a little bit of that in and it tastes good. Baking requires precision and following directions, which he really likes but I find it boring.

I think at the core, this is totally it. But the funny thing is, my DH loves to cook and he's an engineer. But he finds it relaxing, I guess since it's a change of pace/more creative. But it just stresses me out thinking about it. I need to step up my game, as he's made cookies (!!) twice in the last month, and I fear I will soon be completely obsolete in the kitchen...

My DH is an engineer and he loves to cook too! He is an amazing cook.

koyn · April 2010

Baking is exact and requires a special touch. Cooking can be done with a flare and easily changed according to the cook.

may2806 · April 2010

I love baking and hate cooking. It might be a Type A thing because that is totally me. I have a very creative job, so you'd think I'd like the creativity of cooking, but nope!

Interesting question!?

LaneyLooLoo · April 2010

Wow, I really enjoyed reading all of these.

I love both, but prefer baking. However, I have a very different reason/theory.

When cooking, I have to watch things continuously. While it is less precise and less measuring, it is constant watching and reacting. Heat is very unforgiving and takes great attention.

Baking, on the other hand, requires a great deal of up front precision. Then, you can walk away. I only occasionally have to check on things.

To me, both are about feeling and adding some love. However, baking is more nurturing. It is the fluff unlike food being the nourishment of the body, baking is nourishment for the soul! Ok...they both are for the soul!

kthappy76 · April 2010

LaneyLooLoo:

Wow, I really enjoyed reading all of these.

I love both, but prefer baking. However, I have a very different reason/theory.

When cooking, I have to watch things continuously. While it is less precise and less measuring, it is constant watching and reacting. Heat is very unforgiving and takes great attention.

Baking, on the other hand, requires a great deal of up front precision. Then, you can walk away. I only occasionally have to check on things.

To me, both are about feeling and adding some love. However, baking is more nurturing. It is the fluff unlike food being the nourishment of the body, baking is nourishment for the soul! Ok...they both are for the soul!

This is SO dead on! I am totally ADD in the kitchen (and probably otherwise too )

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