Comments on: Soulcraft: The Real Reason We Love To Cook http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html Translating the Chef's Craft for Every Kitchen Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:49:21 +0000 hourly 1 By: Control Weight http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html/comment-page-1#comment-31925 Control Weight Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html#comment-31925 Definitely one of the few things that we can still enjoy doing, of course, makes us more human, we can use all our senses, we enjoy cooking, love cooking, and the result is very satisfactory because it leads us to spend a pleasant time with the family and friends ... nothing technological. Definitely one of the few things that we can still enjoy doing, of course, makes us more human, we can use all our senses, we enjoy cooking, love cooking, and the result is very satisfactory because it leads us to spend a pleasant time with the family and friends … nothing technological.

]]> By: Cash Loans http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html/comment-page-1#comment-31924 Cash Loans Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html#comment-31924 If you've never cooked full time for a living before, I suggest keeping the day job and then taking on a weekend or evening gig prepping or cooking somewhere for six months. This will give you a good idea of whether the hot, humid, loud, exhausting life of a cook is something you really want. If you’ve never cooked full time for a living before, I suggest keeping the day job and then taking on a weekend or evening gig prepping or cooking somewhere for six months. This will give you a good idea of whether the hot, humid, loud, exhausting life of a cook is something you really want.

]]> By: mike http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html/comment-page-1#comment-31921 mike Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html#comment-31921 Hmmm...Maybe that is why I often would rather cook than eat... Hmmm…Maybe that is why I often would rather cook than eat…

]]> By: generic drugs http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html/comment-page-1#comment-31923 generic drugs Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html#comment-31923 Good review. Cooking in a restaurant kitchen adds a different level of physicality. I love that feeling of being muscle-tired, not just brain fatigued at the end of a day. Good review. Cooking in a restaurant kitchen adds a different level of physicality. I love that feeling of being muscle-tired, not just brain fatigued at the end of a day.

]]> By: Michelle http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html/comment-page-1#comment-31915 Michelle Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html#comment-31915 It may be a little too late to add to this post, but I also wanted to say that one of the main reasons I began cooking was because I live in 'fast food capital of America', Oklahoma City, and I was just plain hungry and needed something better to eat. Later it was about providing healthy, nutritious meals for my family. And last but not least, it was about power. In today's world there are very few things we have complete control over - and I wasn't about to relinquish this power of allowing a corporation to decide what my family eats. It was about taking control and reclaiming a basic human right to fresh, healthy food. Little did I know at the time that this would develop into such a passion. It may be a little too late to add to this post, but I also wanted to say that one of the main reasons I began cooking was because I live in ‘fast food capital of America’, Oklahoma City, and I was just plain hungry and needed something better to eat. Later it was about providing healthy, nutritious meals for my family. And last but not least, it was about power. In today’s world there are very few things we have complete control over – and I wasn’t about to relinquish this power of allowing a corporation to decide what my family eats. It was about taking control and reclaiming a basic human right to fresh, healthy food. Little did I know at the time that this would develop into such a passion.

]]> By: Nila http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html/comment-page-1#comment-31914 Nila Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html#comment-31914 Speaking as someone who is a relative newcomer to the art of cooking (have only been cooking for the last 4 years or so), I can wholeheartedly agree that there is something almost viscerally satisfying in not just the act of cooking, but more importantly (to me, at least) in the act of sharing the results of cooking with friends/family. I love that what I make is being enjoyed by other people. Cooking for oneself is nowhere near as satisfying to me as that. I'm not saying I don't enjoy cooking for myself, but I just LOVE IT when I can cook for others. It is also a big reason I get such satisfaction out of preparing food for charity (something I do at least once a week). Making food for other people absolutely feeds my soul! Speaking as someone who is a relative newcomer to the art of cooking (have only been cooking for the last 4 years or so), I can wholeheartedly agree that there is something almost viscerally satisfying in not just the act of cooking, but more importantly (to me, at least) in the act of sharing the results of cooking with friends/family. I love that what I make is being enjoyed by other people. Cooking for oneself is nowhere near as satisfying to me as that. I’m not saying I don’t enjoy cooking for myself, but I just LOVE IT when I can cook for others. It is also a big reason I get such satisfaction out of preparing food for charity (something I do at least once a week). Making food for other people absolutely feeds my soul!

]]> By: Chad http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html/comment-page-1#comment-31912 Chad Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html#comment-31912 It might make sense, but the evolution angle is not the way to go. This is just the latest of theories of what drove human evolution with VERY scarce evidence from a scientific standpoint. I work with evolution every day and I don't know a single evolutionary biologist who would think this is hypothesis is anything more than a fad in certain circles with very little scientific evidence (much like all of evolutionary psychology. Oh snap!). It might make sense, but the evolution angle is not the way to go. This is just the latest of theories of what drove human evolution with VERY scarce evidence from a scientific standpoint. I work with evolution every day and I don’t know a single evolutionary biologist who would think this is hypothesis is anything more than a fad in certain circles with very little scientific evidence (much like all of evolutionary psychology. Oh snap!).

]]> By: ruhlman http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html/comment-page-1#comment-31913 ruhlman Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html#comment-31913 chad, i agree that it's not a new theory of evolution but it does seem a credible enhancement of our understanding of human development. I too work with evolution every day and I think i've gotten her to stop texting at the table. kate, make the dutch oven bread in ratio. double the yeast and you'll see how it works. most critical phase is letting it rise before baking imho chad, i agree that it’s not a new theory of evolution but it does seem a credible enhancement of our understanding of human development. I too work with evolution every day and I think i’ve gotten her to stop texting at the table.

kate, make the dutch oven bread in ratio. double the yeast and you’ll see how it works. most critical phase is letting it rise before baking imho

]]> By: Kate in the NW http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html/comment-page-1#comment-31911 Kate in the NW Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html#comment-31911 minnie: I marvel at breadmaking. No matter how many times people swear it's easy, I swear it's NOT. I am not new-age-y at all, yet I persist in the belief that yeast has preferences - and they do not include me. Poor, deluded folk such as I benefit greatly from friendships with the Fellowship of The Breadmakers, the Chosen Of The Yeasts. I am lucky enough to have just such a connection. We trade meat and wine for bread, and it works out just fine. On just such elemental things are the very deepest alliances made... To each her own.... minnie:
I marvel at breadmaking.

No matter how many times people swear it’s easy, I swear it’s NOT. I am not new-age-y at all, yet I persist in the belief that yeast has preferences – and they do not include me.

Poor, deluded folk such as I benefit greatly from friendships with the Fellowship of The Breadmakers, the Chosen Of The Yeasts. I am lucky enough to have just such a connection. We trade meat and wine for bread, and it works out just fine.

On just such elemental things are the very deepest alliances made…
To each her own….

]]> By: minnie http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html/comment-page-1#comment-31910 minnie Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html#comment-31910 i have found, that since i started making my own bread (admittedly, sometimes i cheat and use the bread machine), that we actually eat more bread. before, a loafwould go moldy before we'd finish it, and i have 2 teenage boys. since i'm using King Arthur white whole wheat, we're probably eating better bread, as well (and i've used the same recipe tomake hotdog & hamburger buns as well). i have an associate's degree in culinary arts, and i'm daily amazed at the way so many people marvel at such a simple skill as bread-making i have found, that since i started making my own bread (admittedly, sometimes i cheat and use the bread machine), that we actually eat more bread. before, a loafwould go moldy before we’d finish it, and i have 2 teenage boys. since i’m using King Arthur white whole wheat, we’re probably eating better bread, as well (and i’ve used the same recipe tomake hotdog & hamburger buns as well). i have an associate’s degree in culinary arts, and i’m daily amazed at the way so many people marvel at such a simple skill as bread-making

]]> By: Ben http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html/comment-page-1#comment-31909 Ben Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html#comment-31909 Oddly enough, I was thinking the exact same thing about why I like cooking so much after reading the review. I'm an English teacher now (stories also seem to have <a href="http://www.salon.com/books/review/2009/05/18/evocriticism/index.html" rel="nofollow">an evolutionary benefit</a>) but often find the concreteness of cooking relaxing, especially during heavy grading times. I had a cubicle job for a few years, which drove me nuts. Michael, I heard you on "Around Noon" today, and I plan on picking up <i>Ratio</i> soon. I do come up with my own muffin recipes, but I keep looking back at cookbooks for baking powder / soda ratios. Oddly enough, I was thinking the exact same thing about why I like cooking so much after reading the review. I’m an English teacher now (stories also seem to have an evolutionary benefit) but often find the concreteness of cooking relaxing, especially during heavy grading times. I had a cubicle job for a few years, which drove me nuts.

Michael, I heard you on “Around Noon” today, and I plan on picking up Ratio soon. I do come up with my own muffin recipes, but I keep looking back at cookbooks for baking powder / soda ratios.

]]> By: kiss my spatula http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html/comment-page-1#comment-31905 kiss my spatula Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html#comment-31905 an expression of love - pure and simple - and for some, the only expression of love they know. an expression of love – pure and simple – and for some, the only expression of love they know.

]]> By: Non Dire Gol http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html/comment-page-1#comment-31906 Non Dire Gol Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html#comment-31906 I'm crazily looking forward to reading Mark Kurlansky's new book, FOOD OF A YOUNGER COUNTRY. Pre WWII writing and recipes. I’m crazily looking forward to reading Mark Kurlansky’s new book, FOOD OF A YOUNGER COUNTRY. Pre WWII writing and recipes.

]]> By: Marlene http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html/comment-page-1#comment-31908 Marlene Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html#comment-31908 For me it is not so much the act of doing something physical with my hands after a days work, although the kitchen is the first place I head to when I'm stressed, or worried, but also when I'm happy. Cooking is vital to my soul. Many of us are never going to work in a professional kitchen. So as home cooks, maybe the right question is to ask ourselves why we cook. Well, we all like to eat but so do lots of people who never bother to learn how to cook. For me, cooking is not only a passion, but a form of relaxation and of fun. It is also an expression of caring. I cook because its as close as I can get to sharing a piece of myself with family and friends. When I offer them something I've made, I'm offering them a part of me. If that makes any sense. It's caring enough to give them the best I can offer. And caring enough to be willing to take the time to make it so. During my brother's illness, I cooked for him, because that was the best way I knew to care for him and support him. I couldn't cure him, but I could nourish him, and in the process, calm myself and nourish my soul. From all things, does food fall. There is a reason why the kitchen is the central place in most homes, and why so many memories are remembered as being around the table, the dinner's mom or dad made, the chicken soup you were brought when you were sick, or the warm milk when you'd had a nightmare and couldn't sleep. The popsicles and ice cream when you had your tonsils out Food that I have cooked is my offering of love to my family and friends It's that simple for me. Your milage may vary. :) For me it is not so much the act of doing something physical with my hands after a days work, although the kitchen is the first place I head to when I’m stressed, or worried, but also when I’m happy. Cooking is vital to my soul.

Many of us are never going to work in a professional kitchen. So as home cooks, maybe the right question is to ask ourselves why we cook. Well, we all like to eat but so do lots of people who never bother to learn how to cook. For me, cooking is not only a passion, but a form of relaxation and of fun. It is also an expression of caring. I cook because its as close as I can get to sharing a piece of myself with family and friends. When I offer them something I’ve made, I’m offering them a part of me. If that makes any sense. It’s caring enough to give them the best I can offer. And caring enough to be willing to take the time to make it so. During my brother’s illness, I cooked for him, because that was the best way I knew to care for him and support him. I couldn’t cure him, but I could nourish him, and in the process, calm myself and nourish my soul.

From all things, does food fall. There is a reason why the kitchen is the central place in most homes, and why so many memories are remembered as being around the table, the dinner’s mom or dad made, the chicken soup you were brought when you were sick, or the warm milk when you’d had a nightmare and couldn’t sleep. The popsicles and ice cream when you had your tonsils out

Food that I have cooked is my offering of love to my family and friends It’s that simple for me. Your milage may vary. :)

]]> By: David in San Antonio http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html/comment-page-1#comment-31904 David in San Antonio Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html#comment-31904 I started getting serious about cooking (and baking bread) many, many years ago as a grad student. When people would ask, I would say that cooking provides a way to get immediate results, either for good or otherwise, unlike so much of the academic life. I started getting serious about cooking (and baking bread) many, many years ago as a grad student. When people would ask, I would say that cooking provides a way to get immediate results, either for good or otherwise, unlike so much of the academic life.

]]> By: luis http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html/comment-page-1#comment-31903 luis Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html#comment-31903 Right, cooking is a skill and its something we do with our hands. True. It is liberating to be able to dictate some of your culinary destiny and say no to industrial food. It's a wonderful skillset to have. Right, cooking is a skill and its something we do with our hands. True. It is liberating to be able to dictate some of your culinary destiny and say no to industrial food. It’s a wonderful skillset to have.

]]> By: Lamar http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html/comment-page-1#comment-31902 Lamar Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html#comment-31902 Just a quick note for the previous poster (Michelle). If you've never cooked full time for a living before, I suggest keeping the day job and then taking on a weekend or evening gig prepping or cooking somewhere for six months. This will give you a good idea of whether the hot, humid, loud, exhausting life of a cook is something you really want. You may love it, but in case you don't, you still have that nifty thing that is so hard to come by these days (a job). Good luck! Just a quick note for the previous poster (Michelle).

If you’ve never cooked full time for a living before, I suggest keeping the day job and then taking on a weekend or evening gig prepping or cooking somewhere for six months. This will give you a good idea of whether the hot, humid, loud, exhausting life of a cook is something you really want.

You may love it, but in case you don’t, you still have that nifty thing that is so hard to come by these days (a job). Good luck!

]]> By: Michelle http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html/comment-page-1#comment-31901 Michelle Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html#comment-31901 This post came at a poignant time as I am stuck in a dismal, gray, cubicle all day long, and am currently contemplating a job change, and going to work for a small cafe/catering company. It would mean a cut in pay, but I have become so dissatisfied in my current situation, that it really is time to go. Life is too long to spend it doing something you hate. Also, I actually look forward to chopping and stirring and puttering about the kitchen each and every night. I enjoy the creative process and using all of my senses - sight, smell, taste, touch, even sound, while cooking.(Note: I tried cooking with my iPod on once and it didn't work. I never appreciated how much one relies on the sense of sound during the cooking process until I did this.) You are right Ruhlman, cooking does accomplish so much more than we realize. At work in my maze of grey cubicles, I feel like Gregor Samsa, only in the form of a rat with a tail and whiskers. But at home cooking, I feel human again. This post came at a poignant time as I am stuck in a dismal, gray, cubicle all day long, and am currently contemplating a job change, and going to work for a small cafe/catering company. It would mean a cut in pay, but I have become so dissatisfied in my current situation, that it really is time to go. Life is too long to spend it doing something you hate. Also, I actually look forward to chopping and stirring and puttering about the kitchen each and every night. I enjoy the creative process and using all of my senses – sight, smell, taste, touch, even sound, while cooking.(Note: I tried cooking with my iPod on once and it didn’t work. I never appreciated how much one relies on the sense of sound during the cooking process until I did this.)

You are right Ruhlman, cooking does accomplish so much more than we realize. At work in my maze of grey cubicles, I feel like Gregor Samsa, only in the form of a rat with a tail and whiskers. But at home cooking, I feel human again.

]]> By: bobby http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html/comment-page-1#comment-31899 bobby Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html#comment-31899 Hmmm...Maybe that is why I often would rather cook than eat... Hmmm…Maybe that is why I often would rather cook than eat…

]]> By: Bob Y http://blog.ruhlman.com/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html/comment-page-1#comment-31900 Bob Y Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2009/05/soulcraft-the-real-reason-we-love-to-cook.html#comment-31900 For me, cooking embraces two distinct pleasures. The first, "Feed Me" in the MFK Fisher sense of succor and comfort and good food and good people. The second: transformation. When, in the first series of the blessed Julia's TV show, she instructed us to use cornstarch to thicken the sauce - and it thickened! My first trip to Paris, and that was it. A lifelong devotion. For me, cooking embraces two distinct pleasures. The first, “Feed Me” in the MFK Fisher sense of succor and comfort and good food and good people. The second: transformation. When, in the first series of the blessed Julia’s TV show, she instructed us to use cornstarch to thicken the sauce – and it thickened! My first trip to Paris, and that was it. A lifelong devotion.

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