Time Magazine, October 20, 2014 did a cover feature “The Truth About Home Cooking” by Mark Bittman. I love this guy, so down to earth and straightforward with his comments. I do have to admit that it was my wife that introduced him to me. She heard about him online, then got one of his smaller cookbooks that she used as her primary cookbook for two years while she was going to school and working away from here. We have since acquired more of his books and use them frequently.
His current focus is getting us back to our kitchens and actually cooking our on meals. He and others, Michael Pollan comes to mind, are perplexed by the American obsession with all things cooking, cook books, gadgets and 24×7 cooking shows. But are people really cooking? Considering how unhealthy we have become as a nation, and the shear numbers of fast foods meals sold everyday, perhaps not.
I would like to dig a little deep on his claims. He says the stores and farmer’s markets are filled with good stuff if you would just take advantage of it. I say if they are full of good stuff people are taking advantage of it. We had a recent experience here where all the suppliers of one of our local grocery store chains went on strike. I went into one of the stores about a week later just to see what it was like. I did not expect to see what I did. The shelves were stripped bare. So that stuff does not just sit there. True, fresh stuff spoils and gets thrown out, but a lot of it goes home with someone.
Sometimes I watch what is coming out of other’s grocery carts at the check out counter. Sometimes I wish I could go home with them just to see what yummy things they will make of that. At times the clerks ask if they can go home with me. So I know some are cooking up some good meals. But over all I think Bittman is right. Some are enthusiastically cooking up good meals, many are just observing.
The great thing about Bittman is that at every opportunity he encourages you to get creative. Start simple, then embellish a bit if you like.
I recommend you find this article, read it and let me know what you think.
David's Place Blog 
Leave a comment