My New Obsession
No, this blog isn’t about my obsession with chocolate or Starbucks 
, but it does have to do with food . . . and cooking. Let me start off by saying that I HATE to cook. I’ve never enjoyed cooking - - it’s just not my thing. And my husband married me knowing that he wasn’t going to be getting a gourmet meal every day. Or any day, for that matter! 
That’s what restaurants are for, as far as I’m concerned. I cook because I have to eat and feed my family, but what they get are the very basics – meat, potatoes, vegetables, etc. And I don’t have any problems using boxed or “pre-fabbed” meals. Sure, I try and spruce things up, but for the most part things are simple because I’m just not one to spend a whole lot of time in the kitchen. Luckily, my husband is an excellent cook (which he gets from his mother, who is a phenomenal cook, too!), so we balance each other pretty well when it comes to kitchen duty. 
So, what is this new obsession all about? The Food Network channel. It started a few months ago when there was nothing else on TV and I happened upon this guy who makes these amazing cakes (Ace of Cakes). From there, I started watching the Food Network channel more and more, and found that I really enjoyed WATCHING all these chefs cooking up some great meals. Now, the channel seems to be on all the time, and I think it’s one of the coolest networks on TV. I’ve come to know Rachel Ray, Bobby Flay, Emeril, Paula Deen, Giada De Laurentiis, Sandra Lee, and many other chefs who amaze me with their talent. And there are other fun shows on the food channel, too - - like The Next Food Network Star (Remember, I’m the reality TV junkie!), Dinner: Impossible, Rachel Ray’s $40.00 a day show, Iron Chef America, and candy and baking competitions (my favorites!).
But for as much as I love watching the Food Network Channel, I still don’t like to cook. But I sure am entertained by watching others create fabulous, gourmet meals! 
So, how about you? Do you like to cook – or hate it like me? And how many of you are hooked on the Food Network Channel, too? And if so, what’s your favorite shows? Mine is Ace of Cakes - - I’m amazed at how Duff shapes his cakes with drills, saws, and blow torches! 
I HATE HATE HATE to cook. I HATE the kitchen (okay I love how my kitchen looks) but I wish I had a live in chef and cleaner. And HATE doesn’t begin to describe how I feel. I think I’m the wrong sign = Cancer - who is nurturing and shouldn’t that include feeding your family?
As far as I am concerned, ovens should be for potted plants. 
That said, I am in awe of anyone who can cook. In other words, I don’t hate the cook or those who can. I’ve never seen The Food Network. I watch Rachel Ray on weekdays at 10 AM because they took off my favorite Wayne Brady; and then Ellen and moved her to another time; and I enjoy RAchel Ray but I space on the cooking segments. I HATE to cook. Oh I think I mentioned that one or two times before.
Does anyone want to move in and do it for me?
Comment by Carly — June 27, 2007 @ 10:47 pm
I love to cook and I’m good at it too!!
I’ll move in with you Carly as long as you pay for the food I’ll cook it for you!
Besides it’d be fun to live with you!! 
OH and I love to watch Iron Chef America!!
Comment by Melissa — June 28, 2007 @ 6:16 am
I don’t hate to cook, I just hate the clean-up afterwards. And it’s not as easy cooking just for one, so I usually just make easy stuff…or get something quick, like a salad from McD’s. In the summer when it’s hot, I’m not as hungry, and I tend to eat healthier.
But I do enjoy the process, and trying new things can be fun. I would just like someone to do the dishes when it’s all said and done.
Comment by Stacy ~ — June 28, 2007 @ 6:22 am
Hey Carly, just a little shout-out to you re: Michelle Buonfiglio’s Lifetime lineup: can’t wait to see that interview!
Comment by Stacy ~ — June 28, 2007 @ 6:45 am
Janelle, I love Acr of Cakes too. Like you there was nothing else on TV and I happened to surf by that show and stop. I love the interaction between him and his co-workers/friends. I love the idea that he opened his own shop and only hired friends. It amazes me how each of them has a different specialty when it comes to building those cakes.
I also LOVE Paula Deen…she is just an amazing person and has overcome so much.
Comment by Kelly F. — June 28, 2007 @ 7:47 am
I’m not a great cook. I do it to feed my family like you do Janelle. I too am in awe of The Food Network shows. I love Rachael Ray and Sandra Lee and Paula Deen. I may not like to cook, but I do love to bake (when I’m in the mood). And I absolutely love kitchen gadgets.
Comment by Carolyn A. — June 28, 2007 @ 8:29 am
I don’t know if I hate to cook - I just have to be in the mood to cook. There are times that I have to fight with myself to just get started. I find that I like cooking when I have my meal planned and know what I’m having. But if I wing it, then it bugs me even more.
I do watch the Food Network. I like Rachael, Giada, Iron Chef, and that new show Dinner (or Wedding,etc.) Impossible. But I also find if I turn it on, it is sometimes hard to turn off.
Comment by Michelle — June 28, 2007 @ 8:29 am
I like to cook, but not when it takes an hour to make it lol and like you Janelle I am not afraid to use the box and pre fab foods and I would do almost like what Sandra Lee does on her show
I have always watched the Food Network and right now hooked on The Next Food Network Star and have to watch Paula’s Party on Friday nights.
I have also tried some of their “easier recipes” a couple from Paula Deen and a couple from Giada. We were watching Giada last night and hubby said ohh that looks good she was making a spagetti dish so I have to go look it up.
Comment by Cherylann — June 28, 2007 @ 8:42 am
I do like to cook, but it is kind of hard to cook for just one person(no recipe is for just one person and I can only eat so many leftovers). My dad made sure all of us could cook before we left home. I’m not as good as him, but I do enjoy cooking when I have others to cook for(I get my sister’s 3 kids for a week tomorrow and can’t wait). Looks like I’ll get to cook lots over the next 7 days.
I like some of the shows on Food Network. My favorite is Paula Deen. She just seems like you could just walk up and start talking and become friends. I like Rachel Ray, but sometimes she is a little too hyper for me. I also love Unwrapped where they show how different items are made. I watch more Food Network when I visit my dad…his favorite station on tv.
Comment by Liza — June 28, 2007 @ 8:51 am
Ha Ha Janelle,
You and are are alike. Thankfully I married a meat and potato man.
Now here’s the thing He found the food network.
He love Rachel Ray and that Italian with the clevage
So I started watching. I am particularly thankful for Emerl’s
famous lasagna recipe. (It is so fast easy and good.)
I don’t think I dislike cooking, as much as I never have time for it.
No nearing retirement I am perfect a few things I enjoy eating.
Who knows maybe when I retire I’ll start a “Retired Chef Show”
Hugs
I am still hunting for Leslie’s book “She’s No Angel” with no luck.
I have it ordered from Amazon but was hoping to read it while
traveling to Maine later today. We’ll see!
Maybe I’ll find it yet I have one more book store to check
on my way home..
Comment by jeannie — June 28, 2007 @ 9:22 am
I love to eat so I try to cook good things. I am not really a fan of cooking. My specialities are pecan crusted salmon with spinach sauce (thanks bon appetit) and a truly wicked mac and cheese (Thanks “Don’t Trust Skinny Cooks”
My favorite food channel show…Good Eats. Alton is so funny. Since I have never been able to master the art of pie crust, my husband learnd how to bake pie from Alton. This weekend, he made the best peach cobbler.
Oh yeah, if you have never tried deep fried turkey, you should. You will never roast again.
Comment by Phyllis — June 28, 2007 @ 10:02 am
Michelle…. Mood cooking sounds like something
Carly,
Almost retired cook and housekeeper will work for romance books.
Sounds cheap but ask hubby it can get expensive.
I’ll move in and cook. I make great double chocolate fudge.
Italian is my specialty. Oh yeah and I make wonderful
homemade healthy dog bisquits.
Comment by jeannie — June 28, 2007 @ 10:21 am
I’m OK with cooking, but am not particularly good at it. I do love to eat though
(totally agree, Phyllis!) We do love Good Eats in this house, too–even the kids watch with us sometimes. Hmm… deep fried turkey… sounds intriguing–tell me you don’t do this on the stovetop!
Comment by Fedora — June 28, 2007 @ 10:23 am
No, I do not like to cook, but I am good at making reservations to eat out. Actually, (thankfully) my husband loves to cook and is very good at it and I am extremely happy to let him make the meals. I guess I am a little spoiled when it comes to mealtime, but I love it!
Comment by Shari C — June 28, 2007 @ 10:24 am
Janelle, Like you, I hate to cook. Unfortunately, I hate to eat out more–quite a dilemma… (It’s helpful not to have a hubby in this respect–I’ve always said that if I married again, he would like to cook & be good in bed–my only criteria–LOL.) So, as a result, I cook with very basic menus. With cholesterol watch, I now cook mostly fowl for the main course: turkey burgers, tacos with gr. turkey, chix breasts, chili with gr. turkey, etc. Cholesterol much lower, & quality isn’t compromised at all.
Like Jeannie, Leslie’s book is persona non grata in the L.A. area, as well. Borders Exp. says the release date is 7/7: Borders says 7/l; & not at B&N either. Somehow, her HQNs, seem to always get the “release shaft”. Still searching, though. I have a Borders reward coupon & hate not to use it, plus pay for shipping.
Patricia A.
Comment by Patricia — June 28, 2007 @ 10:24 am
I start a new job on Monday after being un-employed for a month and I told hubby last night he is back to his cooking duties
he would get home before me so I would leave instructions for him so start dinner and then I would finish up when I got home from work, but since I have been home I have been cooking.
Comment by Cherylann — June 28, 2007 @ 10:30 am
I’m not even sure where the kitchen is. Okay, it’s the room with the coffee maker. But I am facinated by people who cook. I especially love Paula Deen because of how “down home” she is and because alot of her dishes are southern comfort foods. YUM!:love2:
Comment by Carol R — June 28, 2007 @ 11:08 am
I love the Food Network shows too, but I still don’t like cooking. :-( DH is so sad.
Comment by mary beth — June 28, 2007 @ 11:12 am
Hi Janelle~ I love to bake! Have some great recipes that friends and family always ask for (I make a lemon bar the everyone says is better than any other). And I love to do brunch/breakfast stuff. Dinner I’m not so good at - feel like we eat the same thing all the time. With three hungry boys (two sons and a hubby) they’d eat meat and potatoes every night if I let them.
Enjoy the Food Network too but everytime I watch it I just get hungry!
Comment by Robin — June 28, 2007 @ 11:23 am
I actually enjoy cooking, especially baking. If we have a family get together and I don’t bake chocolate chip cookies, all the kids are mad at me for weeks…lol
I like the food network shows but I love Hell’s Kitchen with chef Ramsey, he’s the Simon Cowell of food, I just love him:love2:
Comment by Tina Martinesi — June 28, 2007 @ 11:48 am
I’m with you all the way! I HATE to cook. I tend to cook things on high - if you can’t cook stuff on high, why do they even have it on the darn stove?
When my niece was younger, she would spend at least one night a week at my house. Most of the time we would get take-out food (my idea, not hers) but now and again, she would flat out refuse take-out and would request grilled cheese sandwiches or peanut butter and jelly. Peanut butter and jelly I can do just fine, but grilled cheese…….not so much. Now she is 16, she loves to tell everybody how her Aunt Shar would try and trick her by putting the charred side of the sandwich face down on the plate (I was never able to fool her, not even once!). She took over grilled cheese sandwich duty at my house at a very young age.
Comment by Shari — June 28, 2007 @ 11:48 am
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Ace of Cakes! I actually like to cook, I just don’t get to do it very often because I’m so busy. I also love Emeril. I watch him faithfully. And I watch Paula Dean and Sandra Whatshername who does the semi home-cooking show (great for people who don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen but want something that mimicks home-made). Anyhow, Sandra is, like, my idol. She takes pre-fabbed stuff (cake mixes, biscuit mix, etc) and turns it into food that looks and tastes homemade. Paula’s good at this, too. I watched her do this bread pudding dessert made with chopped up Krispy Kremes that was the total bomb. Loved it!
Comment by Kimberly Raye — June 28, 2007 @ 11:55 am
I enjoy cooking but Sceince Guy doesn’t like alot of things. That gets boring to me. I’d rather cook on the weekend when I have more time then during the week when I need to get hom feed the puppies, feed SG and me, and then write.
Comment by Vicki — June 28, 2007 @ 12:28 pm
Hey, everyone!
I’m checking in from San Francisco — I took my daughter up here to visit a friend while I stay in the hotel and work/write! Anyway, so glad to hear that I’m not the only one who hates to cook, LOL! And I envy those of you who love to cook and do it well! :mrgreen:
Comment by Janelle — June 28, 2007 @ 12:50 pm
I love to cook & I love to bake! Since I’ve been alone for many years I have to say it isn’t a lot of fun to cook for myself so I go in spurts. Over the years I’ve learned to cook a lot of easy things to do for one person. Since I love to eat cooking seemed a natural! When I had a family I loved being creative or trying new things when I had the time & inspiration. Cooking is a great outlet, creative and soothes me if I am upset or having some kind of crises, that is usually when I bake! Not real good, could be why I have gained some weight over the years.
I don’t get the food channel so only see most of the cooking shows if I am visiting with someone & they have that channel on. My favorite when nothing is on is HGTV. Love watching remodels, makeovers & House Hunters!
Comment by Donna M — June 28, 2007 @ 1:18 pm
Put it this way: I have a floor cloth in front of my stove that says, “I kiss better than I cook.”
Hubby quickly agrees with anyone who reads it and gives a questioning look. OK, so I guess that’s good?
Hubby doesn’t cook either, unless it’s on the grill, so we don’t have a lot of variety or gourmet meals in this house.
Comment by Jodie — June 28, 2007 @ 2:43 pm
I enjoy cooking, especially baking. If I’m not rushing because it’s late and the children haven’t eaten yet.
I don’t watch the Food Network but I like cooking reality shows. Recently got into TOP CHEF. I watch HELL’s KITCHEN (yes, he’s obnoxious but for some reason I still enjoy the show).
I’d like to be a master chef (in another life), able to make the best soups and sauces, to do imaginative things with the same chicken or ground beef, to whip up amazing meals in no time at all.
Hubby and I split the cooking so thankfully all the weekday cooking doesn’t all fall on me.
Comment by Patricia W — June 28, 2007 @ 3:11 pm
i love cooking not baking cakes and such because i am terrible at that i can make cookies that are already mixed lol i understand your obsession with food network i love ace of cakes ,dinner impossible, and unwrapped you should check out throwdown with bobby flay thats my fav. sometimes they show food network challenges those are cook to watch (sorry for the bad typing my 15 month old is in my lap laying on 1 arm)
Comment by nancy — June 28, 2007 @ 3:54 pm
Hi Janelle!
I live and work not too far from the Charm City Cakes, and I love the Ace of Cakes show, too, but I’m rarely up that late watching TV.
I’ll be happy to bake for the Plot Monkeys, but don’t ask me to cook actual meals…you’ll be stuck eating the same thing every few nights!
Keep writing and tell me where to send the baked goods and we’ll trade books for treats!
Comment by Sharon — June 28, 2007 @ 4:22 pm
If anyone is still having trouble finding She’s No Angel on Sunday, you can order from eharlequin.com. I know if I can’t find it today or tomorrow that’s what I’ll have to do.
Comment by Liza — June 28, 2007 @ 4:53 pm
Janelle,
When I was younger, I loved cooking. But now that my kids are grown and away from home and I’ve been going through so many medical problems, cooking is one of those things that I try to find the easiest, possible way to get around.
I do love watching the different food network programs and I even have a couple of sites that I get different recipes from on a daily or weekly basis.
Now it just depends on the mood that I’m in at the time. But I have found so many sites that give you such simple recipes but makes it look like it takes a lot of effort to make.
On my other board, we share these recipes. Like you guys, we are a reading board but talk about everything else in the world. I don’t know if there is away to set something up here to share recipes but that is an idea you ladies might want to consider. That is if you want some simple, easy ideas without feeling like you are cooking the same thing over & over again.
I make a mean home made chicken pot pie that is sooo simple and I just ran across this pasta dish that my husband adores. Little does he know how much time that it actually takes me to prepare it.
Comment by Tina Byrd — June 28, 2007 @ 6:48 pm
I like to cook sometimes, not all the time. Never watched a cooking show either. We do take out a few times a week, hubby doesn’t cook. That’s fine with me.
Comment by Stacy S — June 28, 2007 @ 7:47 pm
Hey all, I personally liked to cook, but I was forced to choose that job in the military and now I hate it with a passion…I cooked a lot when I was younger and I am just sick of it…worst off, I hate just cooking for myself, so I often go to a friends house or survive on whatever is in my fridge or Ramen noodles…when school is in session, I eat all my meals at the dining hall or I get Chinese food…love that stuff…I don’t really watch the Food Network religiously, but if I did choose a favorite show it would have to be Paula Deen…she is great and funny too…Rachel’s $40 a day is good too, especially for those of us who are on a budget…
Comment by Paula R. — June 28, 2007 @ 9:31 pm
Bruce us defunutely the cooki here. I manage the day to day stuff but as far as being creative & exciting goes…that an’t me!
Thanis for everyone trying to fnd She’s No Angel…SO SORRY you are having troubles. ld love to say people are just snapp8ing i8t up the second it hits the shelves but more liiely bookstores don’t even inow they have it in their stocirooms. Please kieep plugging along for me…as I continue to plug along too!
Comment by Leslie — June 28, 2007 @ 10:43 pm
I love to cook - when I’m in the mood. If I’m not - my kids have to scrounge for themselves!
My son is fascinated with food and wants to learn, but gets bored by the required stiring and waiting parts. He wants to be chopping and beating and who knows what else. I lose him when it goes into the oven or must simmer, etc.
However, I cannot watch the Food Network. I have bannished myself because I cannot make myself stop! I love Paula Dean, Emeril (I went to his restaurant in New Orleans in 2002 - it was great!!
), and “The History of…” Who knew food stuffs had such interesting evolutions in American culture.
I watch shows and I want to cook, but then my kids never want to try much of anything new, so I give up.
Comment by Lynn Matherly — June 28, 2007 @ 10:57 pm
There’s actually no rhyme or reason from what I can see to whether you’ll find Leslie’s or mine, both or neither. It’s a weird weird business. THANKS to all of you who are trying. We won’t forget it!
Comment by Carly — June 29, 2007 @ 2:44 am
My mom likes the Food Network and watches a lot of stuff on there and the DIY channel. I don’t like to cook because of a really bad accident/burn I got right before my 8th grade graduation which was all of 7 yrs ago
My foot looked so gross for weeks
I don’t really have a favorite show but they did have one thing on Sunday and they had people making cartoon cakes like Popeye & Olive Oil, Betty Boop, Shaggy & Scooby and so much more
It was really cool to watch
Comment by Qua — June 29, 2007 @ 11:57 am
I love to watch Food Network too. My favorite shows are Emeril’s, Rachel Ray’s, and Paula Deen’s. I love to cook and bakes and have picked up some good recipes to try from watching these shows when I have the time.
Comment by Cherie J — June 29, 2007 @ 12:55 pm
I had to laugh. I have FoodNetwork (FoodTV.com) on all the time while I work, too. I don’t enjoy cooking, thank goodness Pat (hubby) does. I’ll watch a show, Rachel Ray being a favorite, see something I like and DVR it and tell DH to check it out. I started watching long ago when Emeril was just getting rolling and so was Iron Chef. Another author friend turned me on to IC 3 or 4 years ago and it became a scheduled show we watched - before Bobby Flay came along and threw his temper tantrum on air
. There’s something about having it on in the background while I’m working I find soothing while I pound the computer keys. It’s really funny how many of us watch these shows … along with Flip That House. I just had to throw my $.02 into this discussion. LOL!
Comment by Vickie D — June 29, 2007 @ 4:30 pm