Great thread, lots of good responses. Here are my own answers:
1. Recreation and saving money. I really like good food, but don't always want to pay restaurant prices for it. There's a certain satisfaction in creating something delicious. It's sometimes a struggle between making time to cook at home and wanting to be lazy and just go out, though.
2. Not as much as we should. My wife prefers to plan ahead, but I'm not so good at always sticking to it.
3. We're pretty eclectic in what we cook. I enjoy Asian inspired flavors and have been intending to make more curries.
4. Not really. I have a certain affinity toward paleo, but I don't follow it too consistently. Mostly when I'm cooking I just try to eat "clean" without a lot of processed junk in it. I'd like to start baking my own bread again so I know what goes into it.
5. Several. Learn to use a knife, and keep it sharp. Get the biggest cutting board you can find. Season everything. Taste frequently, when practical (good with soups and sauces, not good with raw chicken ;)). Use a rice cooker, it's set and forget and keeps a burner (and pan) open for other things. If you have stainless steel pans, learn to use them correctly. To make it easier to slice meat thinly, put it in the freezer for 10-15 minutes first. Clean as you go. Don't be afraid to fail.
If you need something relatively fast and hands off, oven-roasted veggies and protein (particularly chicken, pork, and fish) work really well, and are much healthier than eating out.
Seriously, I can't overemphasize "keep it sharp" when it comes to knives. It's not just easier, it's also much safer. Dull knives are prone to turning and cutting things you didn't want cut, such as your fingers.
1. Recreation and saving money. I really like good food, but don't always want to pay restaurant prices for it. There's a certain satisfaction in creating something delicious. It's sometimes a struggle between making time to cook at home and wanting to be lazy and just go out, though.
2. Not as much as we should. My wife prefers to plan ahead, but I'm not so good at always sticking to it.
3. We're pretty eclectic in what we cook. I enjoy Asian inspired flavors and have been intending to make more curries.
4. Not really. I have a certain affinity toward paleo, but I don't follow it too consistently. Mostly when I'm cooking I just try to eat "clean" without a lot of processed junk in it. I'd like to start baking my own bread again so I know what goes into it.
5. Several. Learn to use a knife, and keep it sharp. Get the biggest cutting board you can find. Season everything. Taste frequently, when practical (good with soups and sauces, not good with raw chicken ;)). Use a rice cooker, it's set and forget and keeps a burner (and pan) open for other things. If you have stainless steel pans, learn to use them correctly. To make it easier to slice meat thinly, put it in the freezer for 10-15 minutes first. Clean as you go. Don't be afraid to fail.
If you need something relatively fast and hands off, oven-roasted veggies and protein (particularly chicken, pork, and fish) work really well, and are much healthier than eating out.
Seriously, I can't overemphasize "keep it sharp" when it comes to knives. It's not just easier, it's also much safer. Dull knives are prone to turning and cutting things you didn't want cut, such as your fingers.