I don’t know what is happening, but lately…my cooking has gone to the dogs. Actually I don’t even think dogs would eat what’s coming out of my kitchen.
Here’s what I mean:
Two attempts at steel cut oats: one stovetop, the other in the slowcooker and both a colossal failure. I’m talking about sludgy, rubbery oatmeal that no one, and I mean no one, should be forced to look at let alone eat.
One attempt at home-made biscuits: from a recipe other people have made successfully and I somehow bake into cement discs. They’re so brick hard I could donate them for use in Olympic discus competitions. Or maybe skeet shooting.
One episode of chicken cacciatore carnage: an experience I’d rather forget and you’d rather not know about.
Three attempts to make banana bread: from a recipe I’ve used successfully hundreds of times yet each loaf is rubbery and blegh.
I could go on but my point is this: I’m a great cook.
Honest.
And I enjoy cooking and baking immensely. Which makes these failures so much more disappointing.
I cook and bake as much as possible from scratch. Homemade tastes better and it’s healthier. Even from-scratch baked goods are healthier than than your store-bought options.
No, it’s not that I’ve suddenly become a terrible cook. It’s that I’m distracted. I have a little human weaving herself between my legs as I try to get supper going. When I cook on the weekends (while DD naps), I’m also trying to get a hundred other things done around the house: laundry, bills, organizing, tidying, etc.
My guess is these kitchen disasters are from a lack of ability to devote my full attention to the task at hand. That’s my guess anyway. It’s just weird that after years and years of whipping together meals and tasty treats, I’ve somehow lost my edge.
Maybe it’s all a coincidence. A weird and random it-doesn’t-matter-what-I-make-it-turns-out-crap coincidence.
10 Responses to “kitchen woes”
Alicia
Some of my cooking and baking attempts have been huge fails these past couple of weeks too. Maybe it’s the weather?
melgallant
You too? Maybe it is the weather then. I have such high hopes with each recipe and they just all seem to go amuck!
ayala
You have a lot going on, don’t be hard on yourself . I am sure you’ll be cooking delicious things again!
Mel Gallant
Thanks Ayala…I’m going to try the tea biscuits again this weekend…fingers crossed they turn out!
ayala
Good Luck 🙂
Getting past the February doldrums « Mel Gallant
[…] My slowcooker is working overtime – comfort food is a must to keep the winter chill away (although I have had some mishaps). […]
emmalina73
Have you checked the thermostat on your oven? If that is wonky things won’t work no matter what. I hope it works out and you are happily baking soon : )
Mel Gallant
I wish I could blame it on the thermostat! Alas, it is me who is causing the mishaps (ie not measuring properly, overcooking, etc). 😉
Natasha D'Souza
My journey to a successful steel cut oats was a rather rocky one however I have the right system going and it works every time.
This is what works for me
4.5 cups of boiling water
1 cup of steel cut oats (bring to a boil again)
Then simmer for 20min (set the timer).
Voila you have a healthy breakfast.
To make it interesting I sometimes add powdered flax, raisins. Grated apple, cinnamon and walnuts. Honey if you like it really sweet.
Mel Gallant
Thanks Natasha! I have a box of steel cut oats just sitting in my cupboard b/c I don’t know what to do with it. I will definitely try your suggested recipe. 🙂