Dumbing down cookbooks

[sirrahbed]

Home-Economics (basically teaching you how to be a housewife) was mandatory in high school back in those days and I LOVED the cooking classes.

Home Ec was cut from the curriculum in our city schools about 7 years ago. My boys learned to cook and even use a sewing machine. By the time Missy was in that school - it was no longer available which I think is too bad.

Do kids still learn cooking at school in your area??

Oh and I still keep my "Joy of Cooking Cookbook" handy to refer to... I also love to watch Foodnetwork, where I continue to learn even now

[dogzr#1]

I kind of know how to cook. I know enough so that if I was left alone for a while, I could eat without ordering take-out. During the summer each of us was in charge of one meal a week. My brother and I were partners because we couldn't make stuff on our own. One week we had mushroom filled meatloaf. It was wonderful! I really enjoy cooking, even if sometimes I don't know what I'm doing.

[Karen]

Funny that you mentioned "Home Ec" - it was mandatory in Jr. High in my town (3/4 the year for girls, 1/4 for boys) and my mother nicely talked them out of me having to take it. She said "She can already put a meal on the table for six people, and she makes her own clothes. What were you planning on teaching her?" So I got to hang out and do independent study in the art room for 3/4 of the year. The other 1/4 (which boys had 3/4 of) was wood shop, and that I did do.

I was recently visiting with a friend from school, and we talked about that. She said ""I TOOK Home Ec - made an ugly blouse which I never wore, and don't remember learning anything useful."

[slick]

I was recently visiting with a friend from school, and we talked about that. She said ""I TOOK Home Ec - made an ugly blouse which I never wore, and don't remember learning anything useful."

Ha!!! I took Home-Ec too.....1/2 a year of cooking and 1/2 a year of sewing and yes, we made a blouse too.

....I failed them both....

[Randi]

I didn't learn to cook much at home, my mom didn't want me to mess around in the kitchen. She was a fairly good cook, but only made country type meals, nothing too fancy, but she did that very well!

When I moved in with my first boyfriend, I was lucky that he liked to cook and I learned quite a few tips from him. As time went by, I started experimenting more with all the new things you could get, and I'm still learning.

These days, there are so many TV shows with excellent chefs you can learn from too.

The ex owner of a Bar John and I went to (Charlie's), was collecting cookbooks, he had boxes full of them in the cellar. When he died, the new owner wanted to get rid of most of them, so I got to pick the ones I wanted. They're all quite old and in english - with "funny" measurements, but I can still use a lot of the recipees from them.

I did learn a bit of cooking in school, but I don't remember any of that, apart from turning pancakes in the air.

[Don Juan's mom]

That culinary classic The Joy of Cooking is pretty basic, even in the 1950s edition that my mom got for a wedding present. I go to my copy when I'm confronted with something that I'm not sure about.

Liz

[RedHedd]

I went on to study fashion design in college and made my own clothes for many years. i just don't have the time nor the desire to do that anymore. Joy of Cooking is a staple in my kitchen (along with that old Red Gingham bound Betty Crocker cookbook), but the one I truly love these days is the Microwave Gourmet