About this site -
I was born right in the midst of the feminist movement. In the south, where even today, girls are taught to cook and wait on their man before they're potty-trained. Like most girls, I loved my Mama and my Grandmas...but I didn't want to be like them. I saw my grandmother spin her days around the needs of my grandfather. I saw my mother work hard at her job all day, rush home, cook, clean, do laundry and fall in an exhausted heap; only to rise in the morning and do it again. No holidays. No vacations. No days off. I refused.
But it was a short-lived refusal, I had to learn to cook because I did get married and have children. I cooked because it was expected of me. I cooked and hated every minute of it. The husband left. The kids grew up. I started taking care of my elderly mother...who still watched cooking shows and collected recipes. I cooked for Mama.
Somewhere, in the twilight glow of the Food Channel, I discovered a new joy. First, the feminist in me noted the predominance of men in a field I once considered a woman's special hell on earth. Having snagged my attention, I found a kinship with my mother in discussing and critiquing these cooks and their recipes. We'd talk and laugh and share. The feminist in me was ashamed that I'd disregarded something so profoundly a part of women - the need to show we care. I began to understand that for my mother and my grandmother and her mother before her, cooking was not "a chore" but a way to express their love for their families.
I'm still a feminist but I've discovered that I don't have to discard traditions just because of my beliefs. I definitely need to redefine some aspects of said traditions but yeah, I like to cook and I ain't ashamed. I've discovered that gender has nothing to do with the ability to cook. It's as basic a skill as driving or walking. I've also discovered that cooking can be an art form. An expression of joy. An experience. And that sometimes, despite what the cooking channels would have us believe, plain old homecooking is the best!
Let me share with you some recipes that will bring a savory richness to your life. Feel free to share your recipes and cooking experiences. Request a recipe. I'll post it for you.
Enjoy.
But it was a short-lived refusal, I had to learn to cook because I did get married and have children. I cooked because it was expected of me. I cooked and hated every minute of it. The husband left. The kids grew up. I started taking care of my elderly mother...who still watched cooking shows and collected recipes. I cooked for Mama.
Somewhere, in the twilight glow of the Food Channel, I discovered a new joy. First, the feminist in me noted the predominance of men in a field I once considered a woman's special hell on earth. Having snagged my attention, I found a kinship with my mother in discussing and critiquing these cooks and their recipes. We'd talk and laugh and share. The feminist in me was ashamed that I'd disregarded something so profoundly a part of women - the need to show we care. I began to understand that for my mother and my grandmother and her mother before her, cooking was not "a chore" but a way to express their love for their families.
I'm still a feminist but I've discovered that I don't have to discard traditions just because of my beliefs. I definitely need to redefine some aspects of said traditions but yeah, I like to cook and I ain't ashamed. I've discovered that gender has nothing to do with the ability to cook. It's as basic a skill as driving or walking. I've also discovered that cooking can be an art form. An expression of joy. An experience. And that sometimes, despite what the cooking channels would have us believe, plain old homecooking is the best!
Let me share with you some recipes that will bring a savory richness to your life. Feel free to share your recipes and cooking experiences. Request a recipe. I'll post it for you.
Enjoy.
New recipes will be coming!
There are not very many recipes on here right now. Part of that is time constraint but it's also because I have cooked and partaken of every recipe on this site.