So what Happened????  :(

Wars have been won and societies conquered so that white women don't need to cook.

Annie Anthrax wrote on Dec 5^th, 2014 at 4:39pm:

Wars have been won and societies conquered so that white women don't need to cook.

you sound like my wife  :D :D


I'm pretty sure the men fighting those wars weren't doing so in the hope that they'd have to then go home and cook  ::) ::)

White women can't cook...

rubbish ... my mums white, she's the best cook I know.

Actually, when I was a kid, she was the best cook in the whole neighbourhood  .... all the other kids would come over to see what mum was cooking next

John Smith wrote on Dec 5^th, 2014 at 5:01pm:

White women can't cook... rubbish ... my mums white, she's the best cook I know. Actually, when I was a kid, she was the best cook in the whole neighbourhood  .... all the other kids would come over to see what mum was cooking next

john... i never said that they couldn't cook once upon a time ...people like your mum were brilliant ....but whats happened now????

Annie Anthrax wrote on Dec 5^th, 2014 at 4:39pm:

Wars have been won and societies conquered so that white women don't need to cook.

And now they are all foodies.....

I remember when growing up in a family of 5 with all of our relatives families also having 4 to 6 kids in them on my mums mother side..

we spent a lot of time together as mum and her sisters always met up and/or met down at nana's place...

she lived in a central part of town so when people drove passed they dropped in...

so anyways..

my nana and her 4 daughters could all cook up a storm..

Christmas for instance...

you've never seen anything like it.. well... not in todays world...

but the casseroles (beef, chicken, lamb), roast lambs and chicken, pork, pavlova's, sponge cakes, trifles and Christmas cake with money wrapped in foil cooked into it...

these days girls are tanked up drunk in gutters or fighting like mongrel dogs...

they can't cook to save their lives.. unless its a frozen meal...

its a real shame...  :(

White Anglo women can't won't cook...

... wrote on Dec 6^th, 2014 at 2:12pm:

White Anglo women can't won't cook...

Yes...fair point Honky..

its like if a man finds a woman who is a great cook a d actually wants to... its like winning the lottery!!!

Last time I looked I was white/Anglo and I cook.  In fact, I consider myself to be a good cook and I cook almost every night of the week, mainly for other people.

Men are usually quite capable cooks but will hardly ever lift a finger if a woman is willing to do it for them.

At least when you are retired and the kids have left don't you think it should be a shared task?  Equally, if you start another relationship later in life why should the woman cook for a man until the day she dies?

Women are usually happy to be alone and you shouldn't have to wonder why  ;D

True Blue... wrote on Dec 6^th, 2014 at 2:17pm:

its like if a man finds a woman who is a great cook a d actually wants to... its like winning the lottery!!!

What does she have to look forward to as a prize?   ::)

Black Orchid wrote on Dec 6^th, 2014 at 3:19pm:

True Blue... wrote on Dec 6th, 2014 at 2:17pm: its like if a man finds a woman who is a great cook a d actually wants to... its like winning the lottery!!! What does she have to look forward to as a prize?   ::)

a lawn thats mowed and an erect penis once or twice a month?

True Blue... wrote on Dec 6^th, 2014 at 3:28pm:

Black Orchid wrote on Dec 6th, 2014 at 3:19pm: True Blue... wrote on Dec 6th, 2014 at 2:17pm: its like if a man finds a woman who is a great cook a d actually wants to... its like winning the lottery!!! What does she have to look forward to as a prize?   ::) a lawn thats mowed and an erect penis once or twice a month?

Let's assume that you don't want your breakfast and/or lunch made for you and just want dinner.  That's 7 per week.  (21 if you want breaky and lunch).   Ummm how many times do you mow the lawn per week?

As for the latter.  She can keep one of those in the drawer for use when SHE feels inclined without having to cook, wash and clean for it   ;D

Again.  Where's the prize?

Ok ... all jokes aside ..you may have missed my point... the point is.. that women who can cook and cook well...have a real skill that has been overlooked for many many years even decades possibly centuries....

not only cooking but looking after the home and family.....

this has been An underpaid talent and perhaps a thankless task...i don't think most people realise what an absolutely amazing job women have done for centuries..

i guess i'm saying...that sometimes you don't know how good things are ... have been..until it's not there anymore

the problem is not that they can't, but they don't want to

not that long ago, a womans job was to maintain the house and cook for her family. It was her whole career. Even most off those that worked regarded work as socondary to their duties to the home. The better she did it, the better her status amongst her peers. Women used to take pride in it and were constantly trying to improve. Today women no longer need to do that. They gets their status and pride through their other careers. Cooking has become a chore rather than the career it once was.

Black Orchid wrote on Dec 6^th, 2014 at 3:35pm:

Let's assume that you don't want your breakfast and/or lunch made for you and just want dinner.  That's 7 per week.  (21 if you want breaky and lunch).   Ummm how many times do you mow the lawn per week?

is that all your husband does for you? Mow lawns?

I wasn't taught to cook by my mother, grandmother or anyone else.  I taught myself and I always enjoyed it.

I must admit though, I look forward to the day that I don't HAVE to cook anymore.

John Smith wrote on Dec 6^th, 2014 at 3:54pm:

Black Orchid wrote on Dec 6th, 2014 at 3:35pm: Let's assume that you don't want your breakfast and/or lunch made for you and just want dinner.  That's 7 per week.  (21 if you want breaky and lunch).   Ummm how many times do you mow the lawn per week? is that all your husband does for you? Mow lawns?

I mow my own lawns and quite enjoy it but I don't have to do it every day of the week.

Black Orchid wrote on Dec 6^th, 2014 at 3:56pm:

John Smith wrote on Dec 6th, 2014 at 3:54pm: Black Orchid wrote on Dec 6th, 2014 at 3:35pm: Let's assume that you don't want your breakfast and/or lunch made for you and just want dinner.  That's 7 per week.  (21 if you want breaky and lunch).   Ummm how many times do you mow the lawn per week? is that all your husband does for you? Mow lawns? I mow my own lawns and quite enjoy it but I don't have to do it every day of the week.

good for you, but you avoided answering the question

John Smith wrote on Dec 6^th, 2014 at 3:53pm:

the problem is not that they can't, but they don't want to not that long ago, a womans job was to maintain the house and cook for her family. It was her whole career. Even most off those that worked regarded work as socondary to their duties to the home. The better she did it, the better her status amongst her peers. Women used to take pride in it and were constantly trying to improve. Today women no longer need to do that. They gets their status and pride through their other careers. Cooking has become a chore rather than the career it once was.

Really?

If only one partner works it is the norm for the other partner to attend to the household 'duties' but if both parties work I think those home duties should be shared.

What about when the kids are gone and you are both retired how should the duties be shared then?

The wife doing all the cooking, washing, cleaning etc while the man mows the lawn once a fortnight and exercises the tv remote?  How is that an equal partnership?

True Blue... wrote on Dec 6^th, 2014 at 3:40pm:

Ok ... all jokes aside ..you may have missed my point... the point is.. that women who can cook and cook well...have a real skill that has been overlooked for many many years even decades possibly centuries.... not only cooking but looking after the home and family..... this has been An underpaid talent and perhaps a thankless task...i don't think most people realise what an absolutely amazing job women have done for centuries.. i guess i'm saying...that sometimes you don't know how good things are ... have been..until it's not there anymore

BTW those are really nice sentiments.   :)

My wifes a great cook, f**s like a champion too. She knows which side her butter is on. ;D ;D Dont complain women when you want to play a mans role 8-) ;)

John Smith wrote on Dec 6^th, 2014 at 3:54pm:

Black Orchid wrote on Dec 6th, 2014 at 3:35pm: Let's assume that you don't want your breakfast and/or lunch made for you and just want dinner.  That's 7 per week.  (21 if you want breaky and lunch).   Ummm how many times do you mow the lawn per week? is that all your husband does for you? Mow lawns?

Doesnt sound like theres much pool cleaning going on :D :D :D He probably cant break through the crust  :o :o

Black Orchid wrote on Dec 6^th, 2014 at 4:02pm:

John Smith wrote on Dec 6th, 2014 at 3:53pm: the problem is not that they can't, but they don't want to not that long ago, a womans job was to maintain the house and cook for her family. It was her whole career. Even most off those that worked regarded work as socondary to their duties to the home. The better she did it, the better her status amongst her peers. Women used to take pride in it and were constantly trying to improve. Today women no longer need to do that. They gets their status and pride through their other careers. Cooking has become a chore rather than the career it once was. Really?yes If only one partner works it is the norm for the other partner to attend to the household 'duties' but if both parties work I think those home duties should be shared. I agree, but I wasn't talking about how I feel about it now, I was talking about how I think people saw it back then What about when the kids are gone and you are both retired how should the duties be shared then? The wife doing all the cooking, washing, cleaning etc while the man mows the lawn once a fortnight and exercises the tv remote?  How is that an equal partnership? again, I'm not talking about the world now, but rather how I think it was viewed in decades gone by

My wife is English and she could not cook something appetising and appealing to save her life. I don't know if it's because she is English or a woman. I think it a bit of both. She was born decades after the war but still treats food as a way of defying and resisting the Bosch.

I think we should make the effort to teach our children how to cook whether they are female or male.  At least the basics.

Black Orchid wrote on Dec 7^th, 2014 at 9:06am:

I think we should make the effort to teach our children how to cook whether they are female or male.  At least the basics.

People don't have the time to cook they once did, and it'll only get worse.

John Smith wrote on Dec 7^th, 2014 at 9:11am:

Black Orchid wrote on Dec 7th, 2014 at 9:06am: I think we should make the effort to teach our children how to cook whether they are female or male.  At least the basics. People don't have the time to cook they once did, and it'll only get worse.

Some things are worth making the time for or it will definitely get worse.

Black Orchid wrote on Dec 7^th, 2014 at 9:15am:

John Smith wrote on Dec 7th, 2014 at 9:11am: Black Orchid wrote on Dec 7th, 2014 at 9:06am: I think we should make the effort to teach our children how to cook whether they are female or male.  At least the basics. People don't have the time to cook they once did, and it'll only get worse. Some things are worth making the time for or it will definitely get worse.

how do you make the time? people are been asked to work longer and longer hours ....  kids need to eat and I know my kids won't wait until 9pm .....

(I'm lucky in that i work from home, cooking isn't such an issue with me, even less of an issue with the retired chef next door who has all the time in the world to cook, he loves to do it, it helps him pass the time, and my family benefits greatly ... at least 3 nights a week .. what a top bloke  ;D ;D)

Having kids requires two parents so between the both of them surely a little time can be made to make sure the kids and the parents eat properly.

Healthy eating does not require a large amount of time or effort in preparation and/or cooking.   Fast healthy food is quite different to assuming a gourmet eating lifestyle.

Saying you cannot prepare decent meals for a family because you are asked to work longer hours is no excuse.

Black Orchid wrote on Dec 7^th, 2014 at 9:30am:

Having kids requires two parents so between the both of them surely a little time can be made to make sure the kids and the parents eat properly. Healthy eating does not require a large amount of time or effort in preparation and/or cooking.   Fast healthy food is quite different to assuming a gourmet eating lifestyle. Saying you cannot prepare decent meals for a family because you are asked to work longer hours is no excuse.

I agree, everyone should know how to cook a basic meal, and a quick stir fry for example is both healthy and only takes mere minutes

but the basis of this thread is that women aren't cooking like they used to ... the types of meals Bluereferred to earlier (casseroles (beef, chicken, lamb), roast lambs and chicken, pork, pavlova's, sponge cakes, trifles and Christmas cake with money wrapped in foil ) require hours of prep and cooking time ... it's just not possible. Thats the sort of cooking I was referring to in my earlier comment

John Smith wrote on Dec 7^th, 2014 at 9:11am:

Black Orchid wrote on Dec 7th, 2014 at 9:06am: I think we should make the effort to teach our children how to cook whether they are female or male.  At least the basics. People don't have the time to cook they once did, and it'll only get worse.

I don't think that's true. Foodism is becoming a larger part of our society every day in ways it never has before. Celebrity chefs, cooking shows like MKR and Masterchef etc.

Cooking for me is a means to an end. My husband, on the other hand, enjoys the process. It's a labour of love for him. He likes chopping and peeling and puts a lot of thought into every meal - even a sandwich is a gourmet experience when he's involved. I cook like I do most other things that I don't enjoy...in a whirlwind of impatience. 

Annie Anthrax wrote on Dec 7^th, 2014 at 9:47am:

I don't think that's true. Foodism is becoming a larger part of our society every day in ways it never has before. Celebrity chefs, cooking shows like MKR and Masterchef etc.

people like to watch it, sure  .... but most don't have the time to try for themselves

Roasts were usually a Sunday thing and with the advent of slow cookers etc it's easy to toss all the ingredients into the pot in the morning before work and come home to find the house filled with the beautiful aroma of a finished dinner.

Having said that I know where you are coming from and what I find the most sad is that many 'family' recipes often aren't handed down.  Women 'of old' rarely used recipes.  They just tossed in a bit of this and a bit of that and everything came out wonderful.

I remember watching my grandmother making an apple roll type of dessert.  She whipped up the pastry in a flash, rolled it out, topped it with apples and spices, then rolled it up and put some sort of sugar/caramel sauce on top.  It was to die for and I have searched the internet for similar things but they all pale dreadfully in comparison.  Not even close.  This apple masterpiece of hers is unfortunately lost forever.

"I remember watching my grandmother making an apple roll type of dessert.  She whipped up the pastry in a flash, rolled it out, topped it with apples and spices, then rolled it up and put some sort of sugar/caramel sauce on top.  It was to die for and I have searched the internet for similar things but they all pale dreadfully in comparison.  Not even close.  This apple masterpiece of hers is unfortunately lost forever."

Sounds much like my Austrian MIL's apple streudel........ 

It was like a roll and the dough was thick and spongy, almost like scone dough.

She would spread it with apples and, I think, she sprinkled it with cinnamon and sugar, rolled it up, cut it into largish slices which she laid cut side down in a tray and then poured a sugar type syrup over it.

I was young and not so interested in the basics.  I just enjoyed the end product.  Shame.

Black Orchid wrote on Dec 7^th, 2014 at 12:57pm:

It was like a roll and the dough was thick and spongy, almost like scone dough. She would spread it with apples and, I think, she sprinkled it with cinnamon and sugar, rolled it up, cut it into largish slices which she laid cut side down in a tray and then poured a sugar type syrup over it. I was young and not so interested in the basics.  I just enjoyed the end product.  Shame.

Was it a Russian recipe?

Lord Herbert wrote on Dec 7^th, 2014 at 1:01pm:

Black Orchid wrote on Dec 7th, 2014 at 12:57pm: It was like a roll and the dough was thick and spongy, almost like scone dough. She would spread it with apples and, I think, she sprinkled it with cinnamon and sugar, rolled it up, cut it into largish slices which she laid cut side down in a tray and then poured a sugar type syrup over it. I was young and not so interested in the basics.  I just enjoyed the end product.  Shame. Was it a Russian recipe?

I doubt it, but who knows where she originally got it.   She could have had a Russian friend who was a good cook, stranger things have happened.   

English/Irish would be my guess though.

yes time is a bit of an issue these days with both parents working...

even if you both just work your 8 till 5, when you both get home, who feels like peeling potatoes?

my mrs got more and more sick of it so she'd slip in easy days.. say, Wednesday, frozen meal day.. Friday nights, frozen chicken nuggets and chips..

they all seem to have the same smell about them and I ended up hating it... I'd rather baked beans and eggs on toast...

soups and stew type meals out of a can... snacks out of some sort of wrap..

all unhealthy, full of preservatives and sugars etc etc...

I believe that this is the reason western societies have increasing rates of heart disease, obesity, high blood pressures, cholesterols, blood sugars, allergies, CANCERS,, and the list goes on..

and that's why I decided to get a soup maker and pressure cooker...

I can make meals for a week and just heat it up.. mind you... the mrs even stuff this up sometimes..  ;D

its all made fresh from fresh produce without the nasties... and if you've seen my other threads in General you'll know I've lost 12 kgs

I like to BBQ on weekends.. and have been getting into charcoal cooking...   as you've seen... I've got a new larger BBQ that I can now do roasts in.. I've done a roast chicken and beef tonight..  :)

I think the trick with kids, is to get them into it early... you just need the patients.. and these days... get off your bloody phone and facebook etc.... !!!

Black Orchid wrote on Dec 7^th, 2014 at 12:57pm:

It was like a roll and the dough was thick and spongy, almost like scone dough. She would spread it with apples and, I think, she sprinkled it with cinnamon and sugar, rolled it up, cut it into largish slices which she laid cut side down in a tray and then poured a sugar type syrup over it. I was young and not so interested in the basics.  I just enjoyed the end product.  Shame.

Sounds like Cinnamon Scroll Scones/Pinwheels, Black Orchid, and your grandmother added sliced apples. The syrup could have been runny icing. It's an old recipe, very simple,quite versatile, and very yum.  :)

True Blue... wrote on Dec 5^th, 2014 at 4:34pm:

So what Happened????  :(

Lifestyle changes, societal and gender expectations have shifted perhaps, or pure laziness? It's not just white women though. Unfortunately, in my opinion and from my own experiences, it's cross cultural in Western societies.
I think it's an important skill for children to learn. Single or partnered, everyone should know some basic recipes, at the very least.

In the 'olden' days the Commonsense Cookery Book was their basic bible.  I wonder if it is still in publication?

ashlee wrote on Dec 8^th, 2014 at 5:36am:

Black Orchid wrote on Dec 7th, 2014 at 12:57pm: It was like a roll and the dough was thick and spongy, almost like scone dough. She would spread it with apples and, I think, she sprinkled it with cinnamon and sugar, rolled it up, cut it into largish slices which she laid cut side down in a tray and then poured a sugar type syrup over it. I was young and not so interested in the basics.  I just enjoyed the end product.  Shame. Sounds like Cinnamon Scroll Scones/Pinwheels, Black Orchid, and your grandmother added sliced apples. The syrup could have been runny icing. It's an old recipe, very simple,quite versatile, and very yum.  :)

Yes they were like scrolls but the sauce was definitely a syrup rather than an icing and it was very yum   :)