So, do you like to cook?

[DivaJen]

Seeing as cooking/eating at home is a big part of living a rugal lifestyle, I was wondering how many people here enjoy cooking and eating at home, and would do it even if frugality were completely unnecessary.

If money were no object, DH and I would dine out more often. Food is one area where we can easily make a dent in our monthly spending. But I don't enjoy the meal planning or grocery shopping 90% of the time, and I don't think DH does either.

[kashi]

admittedly, I don't love cooking, and especially not when it's just me to cook for. I enjoy cooking meals for other people. having friends over for dinner is really fun for me.

I'd probably eat out more often if I won the lottery, but not all the time. I've noticed that if I eat out too many meals in a row, I start to feel ill. I feel better when I eat unprocessed foods from home, and I like knowing what's going into my meals (but doesn't everyone?).

[PrincessPerky]

I like to cook but certainly not every night. But I do notice that having had kids and cooking all the time I am way more healthy than back in the day. And I know that if I am going to go out to eat I will be very annoyed if I pay for a steak and it isn't properly cooked, after all I can screw it up for way less myself!

[miclason]

I love to cook...I hate planning meals, though, I like to just go into the kitchen and say:" ok, what am I going to do today?" and just be creative...I hate washing dishes, though...

[DivaJen]

Originally Posted by PrincessPerky

I like to cook but certainly not every night. But I do notice that having had kids and cooking all the time I am way more healthy than back in the day. And I know that if I am going to go out to eat I will be very annoyed if I pay for a steak and it isn't properly cooked, after all I can screw it up for way less myself!

I find that's true for me as well.

I guess I like to cook to a certain extent - it's the planning, shopping, prepping and clean-up that bog me down and turn it into a chore in my head.

Like someone else mentioned, if it's cooking for friends then it feels more like fun and entertainment and less like something that has to be done as part of the daily routine.

[Momtwo]

I love to cook but somedays it does get old. DH and I got out to dinner once in a while but mainly eat at home. One big advantage for me is that I know where my hands have been and how clean my kitchen is.

[SeeAPenny]

Ok, I admit it -- I absolutely adore eating out and being waited ON (instead of being the family waitress, typically). I looooove perusing the menus and making selections and tasting new and different dishes -- appetizers, entrees, desserts (insert dreamy sigh here). But *not* so much that I can reconcile actually PARTING WITH MONEY for the priviledge very often, heh. Consequently we rarely eat out, except for birthdays or other occasional celebrations. At least on those occasions when we do, it's truly appreciated as a special treat by the whole family...

[amomof4]

I'd have to side with SeeAPenny. But I hate wasting money more than my dislike of cooking

[Tree0164]

I do not mind cooking. I find that it is healthier for my waist line as well.

[akaivyleaf]

Its a necessary evil. I"m good at it, actually cater part time, but I cook because I have to more than anything else.

My sister, cooks because she loves it. She finds it therapeutic and my brother in law and my neice and nephews are certified taste testers. If there is a recipe, she'll try it once.

[asrai]

I love cooking. I just hate thinking and deciding what to cook. DD doesn't eat anything, and DH isn't home most evenings. He'll eat leftovers, but only if it sounds good.

[akaivyleaf]

I love to plan menu's. When I had a family I would have a calendar on the fridge and they would know a month in advance what we were dining on and when we were going out because the kitchen was closed, or a special occasion, or an invitation had been extended us.