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DEL.ICIO.USIs a cooking co-op right for you?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
My friend Andrea loves Mondays. Andrea, the mom of three kids between 3 and 9 and her neighbor across the street, Karen, decided to do a “cooking co-op.” One day a week they cook for each other’s family and transport a complete meal, hot from the oven, at dinnertime. This arrangement gives them a day out of the kitchen, yet guarantees them a home cooked meal.
I love the idea of having a day off from cooking, but am curious what Rich and the kids would think of having someone else cook dinner for them. Let’s just say my family has their own “idiosyncrasies” and likes things just so. Luckily, I have a feeling other families are more easy going when it comes to chowing down.
I wonder what it would be like to cook for someone else’s family on a regular basis. Would creative juices slow down after a while? Is cooking for 8 to10 people once a week more exhausting than cooking twice a week for 4? On the other hand, it’s pretty great to have a meal delivered to your house and you don’t have to think about shopping or getting home in time to cook.
What do you think? Have you ever tried exchanging meals with a neighbor? Would your family go for it?
Comments
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By Susan
February 25, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
That sounds like a great idea. I often cook double the recipe when I make soups or stews or casseroles and freeze the rest.
I have a family of 5. I think it’s the same effort to cook for 5 or 10.
By Janie
February 27, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
I’m not sure about this one. It seems that one would want to put in more effort into a dish that they’re giving to others than they would if it was just for their family. Defeating the purpose of creating ease and less stress.
By Kara
February 28, 2008 6:32 AM | Link to this
Well I think the point would be to do it for friends, right? People you know well and know they eat a lot like you do. So if it’s good enough for your family it should be good enough for theirs …
By where do I sign up?
March 4, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this
Unfortunately I get bored so easily that I won’t eat leftovers even frozen weeks later. Plus I’m a little particular about fat/sodium/red meat etc. and I am afraid other people’s cooking style wouldn’t have the same eye toward healthy and light cuisine. How about a light & healthy cooking co-op? How does one find such a thing?