You can't take it personally. I get it, its disappointing when you take the time to research, prep, and cook and people don't like it. Both DH and I cook. And we've both made meals the other or DS isnt a fan of. It happens. Sometimes it is the dish itself and sometimes its just our taste. Its no big deal. I've never been upset when I can tell one of them doesn't like it. From your post, no one is rude about it or even says they don't like it. You have 2 options

1. Have them take out some cooking duties
2. Find another hobby you can get personal gratification from.

Yes, I could have written this exact post last night. Except my family was a lot more vocal about it. I'm not a great cook and I try, but they aren't encouraging. We talked about it b/c DH knew I was upset. No answers. Just commiseration. Honestly I feel better knowing that you were out there feeling the same.

Anonymous wrote:It upsets you because you want your effort to be appreciated and enjoyed, which makes sense. But so too does the idea that you can’t win ‘em all. Every dish won’t be a hit. It’s natural to be disappointed—let yourself feel that instead of judging yourself and trying NOT to feel it. And after you’ve felt it a bit, put it in perspective: do the6 like some of what you try? Much of it? This is just one dish to add to the “not again” column, but how many do you have in the “please make it again” column?

All of this. Plus, OP, as you pointed out yourself - it's not a recipe you created. So, when trying new things, they cannot all be liked equally. And even your best execution cannot make up for a recipe that maybe just wasn't amazing, or at least, not to your family's taste. It's a process of trial and elimination to find favorites.

This thread seems too weak to be real. OP, try adding spice.

Take it personally

New recipes don’t always work out, some are just flops. Not to mention that people have different preferences. My agreement with DH was always that he’d try whatever I made, but if it didn’t work out, he was free to order pizza or otherwise fend for himself.

I certainly didn’t get offended when he didn’t like something.

The kids rejecting something new worked a little differently. They generally had to make their meal from the other things at the table, ordering pizza wasn’t an automatic option. Moreover if my DH and I liked the dish, it might reappear on future menus and they would need to try it again.

While I was frequently frustrated by their pickiness, I wasn’t offended. Maybe it’s because I realize cooking isn’t one of my strengths and so my self-worth isn’t at all based on those skills and affected by others’ criticism. Generally speaking, I also try to assume goodwill from others and try not to take offense unless they are blatantly malicious (and simply not liking a dish doesn’t strike me as blatantly malicious).

Get over it. Ask 25 people what foods they love and what foods they dislike, you’ll get a wide range of answers.

As long as my family tries it and doesn’t complain, it doesn’t bother me if they don’t like it. Sometimes I’m not thrilled with a new recipe! Sometimes DH cooks and I don’t love what he makes! So what?

Stop being so immature, OP.

I think this is normal. You put time and effort into cooking and probably the leftovers end up wasted (as was your time and effort) when they take one serving, half eat it, then open the freezer and make a hot pocket and some nachos 10 min later.

I’m sure your feelings wouldn’t be hurt if you picked up a Costco pot pie and no one liked it.

We a hate when we put time and effort into something and feel it was wasted.