Anonymous
01/23/2012 20:54
Subject: Re:How long should it take to cook a basic Sunday dinner?
Anonymous wrote:Sure it took 30 minutes - what you did doesn't actually constitute cooking. Well, I suppose you cooked the chicken, but really, any 10 yo can be taught to do that.
How long dinner takes depends entirely on what it is. I can cook any number of dinners in under 1 hour, but on Sundays, I like to have a little fun, experiment a bit, make something a little fancier, or all of the above.
Yes, that was my point exactly. I can and do cook elaborate meals, and DH can take several hours as well to make something (less elaborate). What I thought the OP was wondering was whether it is possible to expect one's spouse to be able to get a meal on the table in 30 minutes. For me, I would much rather DH manage to get a decent if basic meal on the table quickly than be able to throw a dinner party once in an eon because the former is more valuable and important to us on a day to day basis. I would love to return to the days of making perusing recipes and making pear gorgonzola risotto, scallops and homemade sorbet every night, but that was pre-kids. Now, we both work f/t, have 3 kids (including one toddler, one newborn) so 2 hour to prep meals are out of the picture right now. At the same time, I refuse to eat pizza or take out 7x/week. My point is that someone should be able to get something appropriate on the table in 30 minutes, but that may entail cutting corners and making basic food. It doesn't have to be all prepared either--tonight is roasted sea bass with fennel and new potatoes, plus salad--also will take about 30 minutes.
the question of whether the spouse is taking several hours because he/she enjoys cooking elaborate meals is totally different--that is great, but I also think it has to be worked out with one's partner. I occasionally do make fancy meals, but I make sure that DH knows that I will be cooking for a couple hours and thus not available to do other things and make sure he's okay with it. I would probably be annoyed if DH insisted on making dinner every night and took 2 hours to make it, since its not necessary and since that means he's out of commission to help with baby, toddler bath/bedtime, homework, etc.
This P has the right perspective. Most of us, including I, enjoy a good meal (preferably with a Bordeoux, of course). But, when you have multiple kids, when you both work, when the kids are jumping around between schools, sports, playdates, music lessons, etc, what one eats for lunch or dinner is simply not relevant, subject to being reasonably nutritional. Taking 2 plus hours to prepare and serve a meal is not necessary, is inconsiderate of your spouse and is not time well spent. It means that ?? is simply hiding in the kitchen, avoiding the kids. I would say the same thing about someone who goes to the market 5 days a week.
TheManWithAUsername
01/23/2012 17:40
Subject: Re:How long should it take to cook a basic Sunday dinner?
Anonymous wrote:I would probably be annoyed if DH insisted on making dinner every night and took 2 hours to make it
She said he CAN take that long, and she specified Sunday. BFD.
Anonymous
01/23/2012 17:04
Subject: Re:How long should it take to cook a basic Sunday dinner?
Sure it took 30 minutes - what you did doesn't actually constitute cooking. Well, I suppose you cooked the chicken, but really, any 10 yo can be taught to do that.
How long dinner takes depends entirely on what it is. I can cook any number of dinners in under 1 hour, but on Sundays, I like to have a little fun, experiment a bit, make something a little fancier, or all of the above.
Yes, that was my point exactly. I can and do cook elaborate meals, and DH can take several hours as well to make something (less elaborate). What I thought the OP was wondering was whether it is possible to expect one's spouse to be able to get a meal on the table in 30 minutes. For me, I would much rather DH manage to get a decent if basic meal on the table quickly than be able to throw a dinner party once in an eon because the former is more valuable and important to us on a day to day basis. I would love to return to the days of making perusing recipes and making pear gorgonzola risotto, scallops and homemade sorbet every night, but that was pre-kids. Now, we both work f/t, have 3 kids (including one toddler, one newborn) so 2 hour to prep meals are out of the picture right now. At the same time, I refuse to eat pizza or take out 7x/week. My point is that someone should be able to get something appropriate on the table in 30 minutes, but that may entail cutting corners and making basic food. It doesn't have to be all prepared either--tonight is roasted sea bass with fennel and new potatoes, plus salad--also will take about 30 minutes.
the question of whether the spouse is taking several hours because he/she enjoys cooking elaborate meals is totally different--that is great, but I also think it has to be worked out with one's partner. I occasionally do make fancy meals, but I make sure that DH knows that I will be cooking for a couple hours and thus not available to do other things and make sure he's okay with it. I would probably be annoyed if DH insisted on making dinner every night and took 2 hours to make it, since its not necessary and since that means he's out of commission to help with baby, toddler bath/bedtime, homework, etc.
Anonymous
01/23/2012 12:07
Subject: How long should it take to cook a basic Sunday dinner?
We've got dinner down to 30 minutes of prep time on weeknights, but weekends? That's when you get to have fun. My Egyptian husband often makes maashi -- stuffed, rolled grapeleaves -- a food that is very time- and labor-intensive. And that's just a side dish. He loves cooking, though. And our kids get to eat Egyptian dishes. My son likes to help sometimes, too.
It sounds like there are other issues about child care, etc., going on, and that this isn't really about cooking.
It sounds like there are other issues about child care, etc., going on, and that this isn't really about cooking.
Anonymous
01/23/2012 11:52
Subject: Re:How long should it take to cook a basic Sunday dinner?
Anonymous wrote:depends on both your spouse and your idea of basic. My DH takes 3x as long as I do to cook.
tonight we had: curry chicken (prepared already from trader joes, we just sautéed), green beans (5 min in the microwave), rice, and salad. strawberries ad cookies for dessert. Took 30 minutes from start to finish to get it on the table.
Sure it took 30 minutes - what you did doesn't actually constitute cooking. Well, I suppose you cooked the chicken, but really, any 10 yo can be taught to do that.
How long dinner takes depends entirely on what it is. I can cook any number of dinners in under 1 hour, but on Sundays, I like to have a little fun, experiment a bit, make something a little fancier, or all of the above.