Dinnertime rolled around the other day and I did not want to stop what I was doing to cook. I would have been just fine that day eating a simple plate of pasta with chopped tomatoes and cheese. In fact, that sounded pretty good.
But I wasn’t the only one who would be eating what I fixed for dinner that night. I have a husband and son who would come in hungry from work. A growing daughter, who had a long day of classes. And a teenage boy, who would be eating dinner later, but would be ravenous after soccer practice. Simple pasta works for some nights, but not for that one. I knew dinner would demand some type of protein to satisfy them.
I didn’t cook for myself that night. I cooked for them.
We get a lot of messages about food in our culture. And we have our own individual likes and preferences. Sometimes these conflict with who we’re really cooking for.
When you keep things simple and familiar for your young son with sensitivities to textures, you’re nurturing him.
When you avoid certain foods for the child who is allergic, you’re caring for her.
When you serve comfort food to your new husband, because that’s what he likes when you’d rather have a spicy curry dish, you’re showing him love.
When you serve plenty of meat with more meals than you’d care to, because you’ve got growing teenage boys who are in the “age of meat”, you’re nourishing them.
Theories and ideals are all well and good. We do want to work to broaden the palates of our children (and picky husbands). We want to introduce new foods and encourage better eating habits. But we balance that with meals that both nourish and let our family know that we love them. That we’re taking care of them.
Who are you cooking for?
I love this! And it is so true. We often get lost in what others think we should be doing or what we should be eating and serving our family, but we need to remember who we are cooking for and who we are serving. Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks, Lynn!
Honestly, there are time when I get tired of cooking for everyone else and I cook for me. Everyone usually has an opinion about what I make and I get tired of trying to make people happy. So, I’ve started cooking what sounds good to me AND keeping in mind what people like. I don’t love to cook so this keeps me happy AND my family happy.
You’re right – sometimes it comes to this! There have been times when I’ve kept dinner so simple or I treat myself with a favorite, even though it isn’t what the others like.
I mostly cook for my husband. Since they’re adults can take it or leave it 🙂 Occasionally I’ll cook for myself but not very often.
I am cooking for my husband I who need to watch our weight and cholesterol, my son and his family of four boys (2 months -6 years old) living here on furlough from Uganda, my son and his wife who live here because of the economy, and my 87 year old mother-in-law who needs high calorie,easy to chew food, and has particular tastes. Making a menu has always been my approach to good meals, but this crowd makes it hard!
And what a crowd you’re blessed with! Enjoy your family while they are home. I pray you have many wonderful meals together!
I definitely cook for my husband and kids. I would be eating tons more unusual vegetables (turnips, brussels sprouts, etc) if I was cooking for me!!! and more pasta, mushrooms, less red meat, more seafood.
I am cooking these days not just for my husband and myself (kids are grown and doing their own thing), but for a family we know and love that is dealing with challenges coming from all directions. Not only are t hey trying to get back on their feet after a business failure, but the wife is a diabetic with kidney failure that required them to learn to do dialysis at home now. It’s a steep learning curve in and of itself, not to mention the hours it takes every day. So I figured that one thing I could do was make sure they didn’t have to figure out what’s for dinner. I try to throw in something that can be used for breakfast, too.
I am enjoying the challenge of planning and cooking meals that nourish and also reheat well. The great thing is, we are eating out a whole lot less, and eating better than before, and consequently it’s not costing a whole lot more than we spent just feeding ourselves. I’ve been dusting off old recipes, some of which I haven’t made in decades. It’s nice to reconnect with old friends, the dishes that fell by the wayside for one reason or another. And now, with the Internet, I’m having fun finding and trying new recipes, some of which are definite winners! I get a charge out of that, too.
They don’t know it, but they are also helping me clean out my pantry. Old package of barley? A beef roast in the freezer? A bag of frozen vegetable medley that needs using? A few stray cans of V-8 juice? Beef-Barley Soup! Some orphaned pie crusts in the frig? Apple pie!
My friend tells me she is loving my crustless quiches both for herself and as something she can quickly heat for her husband’s breakfast before he heads out the door. So I’ve instituted a Quiche of the Week! My challenge is to find new combinations so it won’t get boring too quickly. This week’s was a nod to the jalapeno popper. Yum!
That’s my story. Yes, it’s more work, but I’m enjoying it. It won’t last forever, but I know it’s a godsend for them right now.
I love this! What a blessing you’re providing for them. Thanks so much for sharing.
Tiffany,
That was beautifully written and a lovely sentiment. What a special note. Your family is lucky to have such a thoughtful – and practical – cook!