Whoever said ‘A woman’s place is in the kitchen’ had no clue how things would pan out in the modern world. Ask Gordon Ramsay. Some of the top chefs in the world today are men who can really cook. The ‘Le Chef’ compilation of the 100 best chefs in the world for 2018 has listed chef Michel Troisgros from ‘Maison Troisgros’ restaurant in France, as the world’s best.
While this does not immediately speak about the capabilities of men in the kitchen zone, it does help erase the gender stereotypes set in motion by our ancestors…even until recently. Of course, these changes, as everything else in life, are norms rather than rules: women, in most homes, continue to rush to the kitchen after reaching home from work, while men stroll to the living room to catch the news or sports updates. Again, this is just a stereotypical image that gets replayed in homes that believe women can cook better or assume that the kitchen is where women have to be.
Interestingly though, more and more men are getting fascinated by the idea of cooking (thanks in no small measure to all the MasterChef reality shows with men heating up the challenge), at least on weekends and holidays; some regularly. While there are no studies to quote, men have, apparently, learnt the art of cooking in their own kitchens. One of the reasons for this growing trend is the option of experimenting – quite liberally – in the kitchen. While women, generally, tend to be precise with their cooking, paying attention to every detail mentioned in the recipe, men, often, are in the kitchen for the sheer pleasure of experimenting. They are in it for the adventure it promises.
Men are, perhaps, bolstered in their creative cooking owing to the moot fact that it is a hobby rather than a duty or a daily chore. It is a pastime; to be indulged in when there is a special occasion or a holiday. This works as motivation, goading them to go on an elaborate cooking session – unlike most women who are obliged to whip up a meal in the short time at their disposal before the family screams ‘hungry’.
Often, it is the challenge to cook better than the wife/partner/sister/friend that pushes men to the kitchen. It tends to be a confidence-boosting exercise, as the praise keeps coming from guests or family. Cooking also creates a fun element, spurring men to find a reason to get to the kitchen and prove their culinary tricks. …Not to forget that most women find men who cook – at home – charming.
Here is a little guide for men who are convinced cooking is the way forward, but unsure how to get started:
Start With Shopping
Any cooking requires a couple of main ingredients to get started. Stocking the freezer and the pantry with items that have longer shelf life will make things easier for first-timers. One of the simplest ways to get started is to learn how to boil or fry vegetables; most meals only require you to steam the vegetables and mix them with some relish or condiment. Canned items could also work.
Start Small
Frying an egg or boiling one is the easiest thing to do. Starting small will boost your confidence to get into more elaborate cooking.
Get Introduced To The Spices
Assuming that you are a complete novice in the kitchen frontier, it is important to learn about the spices and also understand that once you add an ingredient you cannot take it out of it. The idea should be to use salt and pepper in pinches, adding more only if it is required. When shopping for spices or using them in your cooking, start by learning the role each one plays in your food before incorporating it into the dish. That way you will not have to discard your meal even before it is cooked.
Learn To Cook Meat
With the Internet providing tips on any and everything, finding out how to cook your meat properly isn’t a task at all. However, since you are a novice, the rule of thumb is to ensure that your meat is cooked properly. What is important is the knowledge that different meat items demand different cooking times and styles. Start with the basic method before trying out elaborate recipes. Watching cookery shows on YouTube might help.
Follow The Steps
Cooking is all about closely following different steps involved in the process. This requires you to prep things up, whether it is keeping onions and tomatoes chopped and ready or the vegetables julienned. Start from the first step to give your dish a perfect conclusion.
Clean Up
Of course, cooking is not without the ensuing mess. However, learning how to minimise the mess will make cooking all the more exciting. For one, there are several one-pot dishes that will reduce washing and there are other little ways to keep the mess to the minimum.
Enjoy your cooking!