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[samn]

The easy answer would be for me to cook for the family... but he would be offended by this. He does not allow for this as an option.

When I say I don't need a plate of food, that I'll make something for myself, he shouts 'Fine then!' and stomps off in a huff.

I think any attempt to use spices, seasoning, even salt and pepper is seen by him as a 'middle class' thing to do. A frivolous embellishment. We are to live in a socialist, republican (anti-UK-monarchy), vegetarian household.

The other week he spent 3 hours in the kitchen to produce a plate of mashed potatoes (no butter, sage or spring onion), to go with roast potatoes (no skin - the oil is unhealthy!) and 4 uncooked brussel sprouts.

Yesterday he produced his favourite meal, penne pasta with canned tomatoes and mozzarella. I don't know how this is possible after 20+ years of cooking it but it is absolutely tasteless, the texture is plastic and the cheese clings tightly to the fork with every scoop resulting in a great ball of the stuff winding round it. The last time I refused it was when I was 8, and I was threatened with a trip to the hospital to have me diagnosed as anorexic and wired up to tubes to force food into my stomach. Well yesterday I refused it again and he hasn't spoken to me since.

We've tried to offer our suggestions, tried to intervene during the cooking process, he learns nothing and resents any help. Whenever we go out for a meal he criticizes the food. 'Not going back there again. Didn't taste of anything!'

I'm at my wit's end, Gaf. I can move out in the next year but my mum will still be suffering. How do I help him to become a better cook?

 

[Arthr2ShdsJcksn]

I can see why he might not want to have another person cooking alongside him. Sometimes you can have too many cooks. So many that it will spoil the broth.

Maybe enjoy frozen dinners instead. buy a small freezer and keep it in your room, and microwave them after you chuck out his awful food.

 

[we.are.the.armada]

Well, it seems like your dad has issues on a personal level that are affecting this strange cooking complex so everyone should be prepared for the worst.

Anyway, as far as becoming a better cook is concerned, a lot of issues can be resolved by looking at nutrition. The meal you described, potatoes on potatoes on sprout is rather boring, unhealthy. Start with nutritious stews or soups that use like at least 10 ingredients - find out what vegetables everybody likes and then try to make your dad think it's his idea in cooking it. Spices are crucial, I suggest you look into some curries and casseroles that can be spiced and go well with rice. That's a good starting point.

 

[sixteen-bit]

Practice makes perfect

 

[ElectricBlanketFire]

Sounds like cooking isn't necessarily the problem.

 

[CrimzonSamurai]

Yeah you're really not going to get much in the way of added flavor without, well, adding flavor.

You need spices, dawg. Even if it's just some garlic, salt or black pepper.

 

[otapnam]

Either take him to a good restaurant or make him something really good itll change his mind.

You can show him how adding a few things or techniques aren't just easy, they're cheap to do

 

[Zoc]

To be a good cook, you have to appreciate good food. Sounds like he needs to work on that. Seriously, potatoes with potatoes?

 

[akira28]

"Dad, you're a pretty shitty cook."

sounds like he was raised to believe that eating was supposed to be a punishment

 

[Courage]

The other week he spent 3 hours in the kitchen to produce a plate of mashed potatoes (no butter, sage or spring onion), to go with roast potatoes (no skin - the oil is unhealthy!) and 4 uncooked brussel sprouts.

dafuq

 

[brau]

One of the very first things to learn in the kitchen is:

*Be attentive of what you are doing at all times, don't get distracted.

and!

*Always cook your food on Medium or Low. High heat is ONLY for some specific circumstances.

Seasoning can be tricky. But most things you cook, if you cook them at the right temperature will retain a lot of flavor.

 

[Sir_Crocodile]

Maybe the lack of belief in the monarchy is dulling his abilities

let the queen lizzie the second into his life OP

 

[Bacon]

Sounds like cooking isn't necessarily the problem.

Bingo.

 

[maomaoIYP]

I can't possibly be the only one who read the title as "How do I help my dad to become a better cock?"

 

[Silky]

let that boy cook

 

[infiniteloop]

buy him this:

 

[Earthstrike]

This kind of happened in my household a little bit. The issue was with burnt meat. All meat would have the living fuck cooked out of it. Always dry, often flavorless. After enough time we've pushed the dialogue towards that of the cooking shows my mother frequently watches. That meat should be juicy and tender. They say they like their food cooked that way, but whenever we have family gettogethers and everyone is at my parents house, some food will be pulled off early so it isn't overcooked for us. My mom also makes great mashed potatoes so we have that going for us.

 

[diaspora]

I think any attempt to use spices, seasoning, even salt and pepper is seen by him as a 'middle class' thing to do.

There will be no improvement until he gets over this asinine opinion.