For those who know me from before, you'll probably be familiar with my disdain from cooking. I remember all those Christmases and New Years and birthdays when mom or my aunties would cook, I was expected to help out in the kitchen. I would do the bare minimum because who would want to hang out there when I can just watch TV and wait for the food to finish so I can gobble up as much as I can?
I also recall getting annoyed by how I was always asked to operate the kitchen because girls cook, and they should know how to. Oh, the societal roles. I felt it wasn't fair that my brother can get away with it, and that I end up peeling potatoes or slicing carrots.
Anyway, fast forward to today, living alone in Bangkok, I admit, ruefully, that I have been enjoying my weekly meal preps and that—GASP—I look forward to the next dish I will cook because, for some change in the air, it makes me happy to cook.
It's not because of the current situation (Damn you, COVID-19!). I have started my (mis) adventures in my small kitchen since I moved. But it's only recently that I began to chronicling it on my Twitter account. The photos are not professional looking at all. I don't think I have that in me. I take pictures of the food from my pots and/or pans—stains, grease, and all.
I also recall getting annoyed by how I was always asked to operate the kitchen because girls cook, and they should know how to. Oh, the societal roles. I felt it wasn't fair that my brother can get away with it, and that I end up peeling potatoes or slicing carrots.
Anyway, fast forward to today, living alone in Bangkok, I admit, ruefully, that I have been enjoying my weekly meal preps and that—GASP—I look forward to the next dish I will cook because, for some change in the air, it makes me happy to cook.
It's not because of the current situation (Damn you, COVID-19!). I have started my (mis) adventures in my small kitchen since I moved. But it's only recently that I began to chronicling it on my Twitter account. The photos are not professional looking at all. I don't think I have that in me. I take pictures of the food from my pots and/or pans—stains, grease, and all.
My attempt to make chicken pastel 😊 added pineapple because Wala Lang! pic.twitter.com/Yu30u4O6dF— angelique (@afparungao) May 17, 2020
While other people have resorted to baking, I found myself leaning towards cooking because:
- I don't have an oven - although I already thought about getting one.
- I only have necessary kitchen equipment and tools - I also thought of investing, but I'm not sure how much stuff I want to bring to my house.
I also realised that after living in a situation where we don't have so much control of what's happening around us (my Scorpio rising is shaking so much), things like cooking gives us the sense of being in charge of what we are doing. From chopping vegetables to your desired shape to adding more pepper or salt according to your preferred taste, cooking makes you feel like you have a hold on your life because you are only accountable to your liking! I can use broccoli in my Pancit Bihon because it's my fave vegetable or use pork for Bistek Tagalog because I don't eat beef. I can do whatever I want with it because it's my food!
This weekend it’s teriyaki chicken ok #brave pic.twitter.com/c4pvUZc3F6— angelique (@afparungao) April 12, 2020
I have had many instances of getting my fingers cut or oil splashing while I cook, but honestly, I find cooking—despite these inconveniences—to be therapeutic. It's during this time that I do not think of anything, but my dish. And to me, someone whose attention span is so short, it's a great feat.
As I write this on a Tuesday, I am already thinking of the next dish I will cook this weekend. I have prepared a list of recipes to do and just the same as other weeks before, I am looking forward to preparing a new dish again.
As I write this on a Tuesday, I am already thinking of the next dish I will cook this weekend. I have prepared a list of recipes to do and just the same as other weeks before, I am looking forward to preparing a new dish again.
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