topic Re: Cooking....Am I the Only One? in Community Chat

Cooking....Am I the Only One?

Bridgegal — Sun, 16 Apr 2017 21:43:45 GMT

This was the last straw. Yesterday I made a beef stew that I've made a 100 times.

It had NO taste at all. My husband will eat anything and has only asked me once in 25 years not to make something again. He was very polite but basically said it was bad. I agreed 100%. In fact, I didn't even finish the bowl.

Later last night I added beef broth to it and cooked it some more. We're going to give it another go tonight but it smells just the same as yesterday.

I told DH that I was basically done with cooking. I'm a good cook and have been cooking for 50 years so I know what I'm doing. I cannot figure out why the stew was so tasteless and bad.

From now on, unless I have a craving for something, I'm basically buying food that you heat and eat or make salads or have lots of finger food in the fridge. No more chopping, dicing, cooking only to get tasteless food.

Is anyone else on board for this? Want to join me?

Re: Cooking....Am I the Only One?

MickD — Sun, 16 Apr 2017 21:46:40 GMT

@Bridgegal sometimes it's just due to a bad cut of meat. I occasionally succumb to flops...it happens...go easy on yourself!

Re: Cooking....Am I the Only One?

gidgetgh — Sun, 16 Apr 2017 21:48:56 GMT

I've never been much of a cook. I CAN cook, but I just don't enjoy it.

I got married when when I was 35 and married a firefighter who was gone every 3rd day so I didn't get much practice cooking and really didn't have the desire.

Now that I no longer work and my husband is retired, we go out to eat quite a bit. Like most days. We go out for lunch and then my husband eats a sandwich or something for dinner.

If we do eat at home, it's usually a rotisserie chicken from Publix or a Hormel pork roast, which is easy to make. Or a vegetable lunch. Really nothing more complicated than that. We eat our main meal at lunch.

Re: Cooking....Am I the Only One?

Kachina624 — Sun, 16 Apr 2017 21:57:23 GMT

I made beef stew this past week and decided it was the best I'd ever made. I made it in the pressure cooker and that just seems to infuse it with more flavor. I used boxed beef broth and that helped too. I'm a little tired of it after four consecutive meals and it's not gone yet.

Re: Cooking....Am I the Only One?

m0rgan — Sun, 16 Apr 2017 22:00:44 GMT

Try some red wine in your beef stew. My husband can tell when I forget. I also use liptons onion soup mix (the dry). We would all like to give up, but it doesn't work for long. I am sure most of what you make is delicious. You are entitled to a miss or two.

Re: Cooking....Am I the Only One?

lilac lover — Sun, 16 Apr 2017 22:07:06 GMT

LOL, we've been married 53 years so I feel like I've been cooking forever. Everyone thinks I am a good cook but like you, I've made some things lately that I want to throw in the trash! I've made this recipe forever and all of a sudden it doesn't taste the same at all! What the heck happened. I don't need recipes because after making the same dish over and over you can do it in your sleep but now it looks and tastes different. Can't figure it out so maybe we'll start doing the heat and eat food options!

Re: Cooking....Am I the Only One?

Desertdi — Sun, 16 Apr 2017 22:07:28 GMT

When my allergies are acting up (hay fever), I can't taste a thing..........maybe it wasn't the stew's fault (?)

Re: Cooking....Am I the Only One?

Bridgegal — Sun, 16 Apr 2017 22:15:38 GMT

@m0rgan wrote:
Try some red wine in your beef stew. My husband can tell when I forget. I also use liptons onion soup mix (the dry). We would all like to give up, but it doesn't work for long. I am sure most of what you make is delicious. You are entitled to a miss or two.

I did have red wine in it. The soup mix is a good idea. If I were ever making it again, I'd add it.

This wasn't the only thing that didn't turn out like usual either. It's been happening a lot lately. DH and I wonder if our taste buds are 'pooping' out in our old age.

Re: Cooking....Am I the Only One?

Desertdi — Sun, 16 Apr 2017 22:17:01 GMT

Tomatoes and/or tomato (or V8) juice also work as a meat tenderizer if you add it to your stew......

Re: Cooking....Am I the Only One?

QVCkitty1 — Sun, 16 Apr 2017 22:17:47 GMT

It might be the meat, or you might just need a break from cooking. Give yourself a break for awhile.

Re: Cooking....Am I the Only One?

Annabellethecat66 — Sun, 16 Apr 2017 22:46:19 GMT

@Bridgegal OMG! That is me except I'm a widow! I stopped cooking a few years ago. For me it just doesn't make much sense. There's just me.

I eat one large meal a day (usually around 1:00). In the morning I might eat toast or an egg. In the evening I eat something very light.

My friend (another widow) and I eat together (at a nice restaurant, usually) at least 4 times a week.

About 3 months ago I made some vegetable soup. It was wonderful and I froze many single servings of it. I also like my spaghetti sauce best. I sometimes make a big batch of it and freeze single servings.

When I get a craving for MY food I used to make I get it out of the freezer.

I don't think young people cook like we used to. I'm talking about people in their 20's and 30's.

There are a lot of people who are retired (married and widowed). It just doesn't make sense to make big meals for one or two people, my opinion.

Just letting you know you aren't the only one. I do have a friend (married couple) and they cook lots of things for each other. Most of the people, though, my age (70) don't cook much anymore.

Just not worth it.

Re: Cooking....Am I the Only One?

goldensrbest — Sun, 16 Apr 2017 23:01:25 GMT

I sure can relate to this,last week i fixed a soup,made it many times and this time it was not as good.

Re: Cooking....Am I the Only One?

Bridgegal — Sun, 16 Apr 2017 23:04:18 GMT

Yep, they were in it too. Thanks. It's a mystery. Tomato paste that is.

Re: Cooking....Am I the Only One?

spent2much — Sun, 16 Apr 2017 23:22:46 GMT

Well, I didn't feel like getting up, but the seasoning mix I use is SOOOOOOO delicious that I made myself walk into the kitchen to get it - to make SURE I got the name exactly right!

OK, it's McCormick Beef Stew seasoning mix. It's in a packet (1.5 oz.) and has no MSG or artificial flavors. I use it to make pot roast. I brown the meat on the stove, then add 2 or 3 cups of water and the McCormick mix. Mix it well, then simmer it in the oven for 3 hours. To thicken the broth when done, take the meat out and add a little flour and mix well with a wisk. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, just to cook the flour.

Oh my! It is absolutely delicious! Hubby and I both love it. I also stir about 1/2 of the mix into (homemade) gravy for meat loaf. Actually, you could use it for any cut of beef.

I've been buying this mix for years and it never disappoints. Just wanted to pass this "gem" on to you.

Re: Cooking....Am I the Only One?

Sweetbay magnolia — Sun, 16 Apr 2017 23:34:00 GMT

Every now and again it happens.

I personally like preparing and cooking for just him, and me - while I'm at it, I can make extra and have a meal at the ready, always. Or I can chop stuff for later - again, always ready for a meal.

I make DH's lunch every day for work. Sometimes just not doing it revives my "chops" (I think I have not done his lunch about three times in 19 years - but knowing it is an option seems freeing).

Re: Cooking....Am I the Only One?

Kachina624 — Sun, 16 Apr 2017 23:42:20 GMT

I think our taste buds do change as we age. I notice some things I used to love don't taste so great anymore. I'm even blah about chocolate.

Re: Cooking....Am I the Only One?

Noel7 — Sun, 16 Apr 2017 23:48:03 GMT

At around age 60, our sense of smell begins to decrease and our taste buds aren't as sharp.

That could be what you are experiencing.

Re: Cooking....Am I the Only One?

Bridgegal — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 00:14:27 GMT

@Noel7 wrote:
At around age 60, our sense of smell begins to decrease and our taste buds aren't as sharp.

That could be what you are experiencing.

That's good to know, I guess. Maybe that is what is going on.

@ @spent2much: Thanks for the tip. If/when I decide to try it again, I'll use that for sure.

Re: Cooking....Am I the Only One?

Spurt — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 00:19:57 GMT

@Bridgegal

I also think it has to do with today's ingredients.....the cuts and quality of meat aren't as good..(and according to what Ive read in cookbooks, shows, and magazines, the cut of meat is the most important element in stews/soups)..unless you grow your own vegtables or go to a Farmer's market, the produce doesnt seem to have any taste....Even the seasonings---the salt isnt as salty tasting (and did you cut down on salt for health reasons in the recipe---that makes a big differences--I get a kick on Chopped on the Food Network, where the judges complain about a simple thing like "it needed more salt")....some of the spices arent as good--(I prefer McCormick, the so called high end brands just didnt deliver on flavor)..........So dont beat yourself up....it may NOT be you the cook!

Re: Cooking....Am I the Only One?

Spurt — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 00:35:23 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
I made beef stew this past week and decided it was the best I'd ever made. I made it in the pressure cooker and that just seems to infuse it with more flavor. I used boxed beef broth and that helped too. I'm a little tired of it after four consecutive meals and it's not gone yet.

@Kachina624

I totally understand your problem, unless I invite my sis, brother or friends over, or deliver some servings to them at their homes, I hate it when I have tons of food left.......I get tired of eating the same stuff over and over...and yes I can freeze it, but then that food just doesnt appeal to me anymore...LOL!!! So I make simple recipes--that only have one or two servings.....or purchase prepared food the chefs at the grocery store make--- which is quite good---chicken pecan, chilpote meatloaf, a small roast for two, a fish dish, casseroles etc.....these are freshly made so no preservatives etc...like packaged food....I do the side dishes---vegtables, maybe a salad, or potatoes or rice........