What is Cooking?

I just moved out of my parents house where I lived this summer, and was lucky enough to experience their cooking yet again. It is an amazing thing, to be able to return to a place where you know food will be cooked and served. Unfortunately, I am not as talented as my parents and cant quite figure out what, how or when to cook my meals. And on top of that, I can barely figure out how to go grocery shopping and what to buy to make my cooking experience easier and better. College, or living on your own, forces a person to support them selves, which includes cooking or providing a source of food. However, for some it’s a harder transition than others.

What really is cooking? Is it making a sandwich or is it only when foods are using heat, such as making pasta. Cooking, is a very broad term, in that many things fall under this category. While I’m not sure that putting together a bowl of cereal is considered cooking, I know that making rice is. While certain things may not be directly seen as cooking, most foods are, however, when beginning to cook, things can get a little tricky. It’s hard to know what to buy and what foods to put together to make something actually tasty. Recipes can help, but when in a rush, people tend to be creative and make whatever they think is easiest. For example, when I am making a meal I typically look into my fridge or pantry and pick out the easiest foods to throw together. This may not be the smartest way to make a meal, or the best, but it works. Cooking, varies among people and is interpreted individually.

Living on your own, encourages people to create their own styles. Whether that means actually heating and boiling food to eat, or making meals such as cereal or sandwiches. There is no guidebook on how to eat. People learn as they grow and experience what and how and when to eat at their own pace. What is cooking, is a question I cannot fully answer, but can only be answered by the one doing the task. Cooking, is truly whatever you make it to be.