Jamie Oliver - Forums / is time spent cooking really wasted

Grandmadamada · Mon 02 Apr 12 11:01pm

40 mins to make polenta
18 mins to make risotto
not to talk about carefully washing vegs
....................

when I feel like making polenta, or risotto I never think to anything else I could do instead of that. The time I stay there stirring becomes thus time for me, who cares if the table is not yet dressed, the vegs are in a bucket floating in fountain water, hungry people come and go to see when we'll sit at table ....... stirring polenta or risotto gives me a regal power, to look around without anxiety and make myself and all the family wait till it's ready, because we know it's worth it

the power of food smile

mummza · Mon 02 Apr 12 11:17pm

no , never time wasted Grandmadamada just a quiet time foor reflection whilst cooking happily !
and the great apreciation of a good meal at the end of it all.

Grandmadamada · Mon 02 Apr 12 11:33pm

brava mummz! that's it, time for meditation I would say, what could you do in 40 mins or 18 mins that cannot be done later wink , I also realized that while I'm in a terrible hurry and feel guilty if I have not done a frittata in time, or frico for example, and the more I get worried the worst things happen with wooden spoons, pans, lids and and and ...... while the stirring movement is the right one to tell everybody have faith, wait, I'm doing something for you shocked cool lol

Luvmegrub · Tue 03 Apr 12 2:51am

It's only time wasted if the recipe doesn't turn out how you think it will and nobody likes it yikes

I agree Mada, when I try to hurry something it's never as good. I made chocolate brownies the other weekend while I was trying to do lots of other things at the same time. They were very average!

mark's kitchen · Tue 03 Apr 12 3:24am

Time wasted? No way. Of course instead of cooking I could be visiting a therapist, spending more $ than my grocery $ and not enjoying my kitchen. Hmmmm, maybe the therapist should get a second chance? Naw, I am a better therapist when I am doing what I love.
Mark

littlelou · Tue 03 Apr 12 8:38am

time spent cooking is never wasted time... to me cooking is apart of me, if ever i cook an easy out of a jar meal i feel like iv cheated or not put enough love and effort in for my family. there is nothing better than sitting down for a family meal that has been cooked from scratch.. smile

oliviascotland · Tue 03 Apr 12 8:53am

It's not possible to waste time by cooking - all the care and love taken to put a good meal on the table for one's family is time well spent!

mummza · Tue 03 Apr 12 8:56am

Ah now you see Grandmadamada , you must be more organised than me if you are worrying about time !
Meals here arrive at roughly the same times each day but as I am no great time keeper and as my darling works such odd hours I don't usually start to cook till I know he's on his way home ... If he remembers to phone me .. Or I start cooking just after he walks through the door !

Just sometimes I am organised and have something cooking in the oven that won't spoil if it's in there for too long.

But whatever or wherever I cook I am happily thinking about all sorts of things whilst I am standing there , my mind off on it's own little walk !! lol

sergio1972 · Tue 03 Apr 12 11:34am

For me time spent cooking is one of the best possible ways of spending time. There are a couple of other things slightly better though... mrgreen

Anyway you made a very interesting point Mada, about the meditation. Some people make a fuss about meditation, that it needs some rituals, places, moments and when they finally get to it...they dont meditate at all!
I read somewhere that meditation is about doing things that give you so much pleasure that its like if time stops for a while and you empty your mind with everyday thoughts.

Grandmadamada · Tue 03 Apr 12 1:20pm

big_smile thumbsup I have heard you meditate while focusing on the potatoes you are peeling, so I discover stirring food is my best meditation "rituale" or tool wink

thank you all for listening to me and telling your thoughts

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forum: Leftovers

#1 Mon 02 Apr 12 11:01pm

Grandmadamada

is time spent cooking really wasted

#2 Mon 02 Apr 12 11:17pm

mummza

Re: is time spent cooking really wasted

#3 Mon 02 Apr 12 11:33pm

Grandmadamada

Re: is time spent cooking really wasted

#4 Tue 03 Apr 12 2:51am

Luvmegrub

Re: is time spent cooking really wasted

#5 Tue 03 Apr 12 3:24am

mark's kitchen

Re: is time spent cooking really wasted

#6 Tue 03 Apr 12 8:38am

littlelou

Re: is time spent cooking really wasted

#7 Tue 03 Apr 12 8:53am

oliviascotland

Re: is time spent cooking really wasted

#8 Tue 03 Apr 12 8:56am

mummza

Re: is time spent cooking really wasted

#9 Tue 03 Apr 12 11:34am

sergio1972

Re: is time spent cooking really wasted

#10 Tue 03 Apr 12 1:20pm

Grandmadamada

Re: is time spent cooking really wasted