Table Talk

By Sheena

February 22, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this

My boyfriend is great in the kitchen when it comes to cooking but baking is a different story. Somehow he messes up pre-maid chocolate chip cookies. I think it has something to do with reading directions.

By MarioEmeril

February 22, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this

Recipe for guy’s cakes: mix everything together first - read the recipe later. And remember: no eggs, but nuts are required - big ones. Make it in a bundt pan, cover with dark icing, and decorate it to look like a tire.

By Tom

February 22, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this

I’m completely comfortable in the kitchen. Before I was married I cooked a bunch, but sort of defaulted that to my wife when we tied the knot 30 yrs ago.

God forbid, if something were to happen to her, I would move back into the kitchen pretty seamlessly.

Definitely a stereotype that guys can’t cook. The only guys who can’t cook are those who don’t want to cook. I’m convinced I can do well at anything I want to do well at(except dance, sing or play a musical instrument.) I’ve tried those activities and I really wanted to be good, but I have always been an abysmal failure. At nearly 60, I’ve given up hope on them…but, cooking, yeah I’m good.

By die hard cake fan

February 22, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this

Wish i knew how to make the best sweetest red velvet cake… anybody care to share the secret with me?

By preferred

February 22, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

The secret to homemade red velvet cake is baking soda and vinegar mixture added to the batter. This creates a dense, moist cake. And, using enough cocoa to get a chocolate flavor.

By Rodney

February 22, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

I agree with Tom - definitely a stereotype. Of course, I believe that everyone can cook, they just don’t want to or like to. Cause really, if you can read (and follow, that’s very important!) directions, you can cook. You may not create new recipes or do it with flair, but you can cook.

Myself, I’ve only recently taken up baking. I’ve always had a knack for cooking, but baking seemed to be my nemesis. You can’t really substitute something for something else and you really have to measure accurately (when I cook, I tend to take a lot of license with recipes).

But I made a clementine cake last week that was FANTASTIC. And in the past few months I’ve been practicing my Grandma’s pecan pie recipe (still not quite there).

But - back on topic - I agree with Tom. Just like everything else that used to be considered “women’s work”, men CAN do it, the question is WILL they take the time to learn how?

My mother made sure both of her children had household skills - and I’m happy she did.

By Ron

February 22, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

Every other day I bake a loaf of bread.Today’s variety was bran,wheat, oat.Wednesday’s was wheat,carrot,onion.Monday’s was River Brand cereal bread.Every day a different kind.I bake cakes too.From scratch.I make a chocolate cream cake that will stop a heart.All in a G.E.roaster oven.The neatest thing ever made for baking.

By MarioEmeril

February 22, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

Ron - I enjoy baking bread, too - I have 2 starters that are over 10 years old. I’m going to have to try cooking it in that roaster oven. One thing - how do you keep the dough on that little rotisserie thingy until it’s done?

By jim

February 22, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this

i used to brew my own beer, i can read directions and i made an A in high school chemistry. somewhere in there, i think, are the skills it takes to make a good cook.

By Cha

February 22, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this

I was introduced to the infamous Red Velvet Cake by a friend, but she did not use cocoa. I love the RVC but with out the cocoa, as I am sure those who use cocoa couldn’t imagine making RVC without it.

By rbp

February 22, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this

I’ve got to agree with Cha. Red Velvet should NOT have cocoa in it. I’m definitely comfortable in the kitchen, but the substitutions are a definite issue. I don’t think I ever get the same results. Every time I cook there’s something I run out of or I want to try a little more of something else.

By ispeakthedrewth

February 22, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this

This discussion is so sexist and circa. 1960 as to be insulting. To say men can’t bake is like saying women can’t work on cars. Neither the automotive or culinary fields is the strict province of one sex over the other. In fact, from a career standpoint, most professional chefs, including pastry chefs, are male.

By Matt

February 22, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

Granted, I don’t cook as much as I could, but I enjoy cooking, and the few times I’ve tried baking, it’s turned out (almost) the way it’s supposed to.

I do agree with the other guys here, it is a stereotype that men just can’t cook, but I taught myself when I moved out on my own. it’s not that hard to learn.

By smokeythebearcub

February 22, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

In my family the men and women are great cooks and well traind in baking. From the time I was 6-7, my mom had me involved in the kitchen. I was in the catering and resturant business for 11 years and loved the work. i think these days cooking has nothing to do with the gender of a person. I know many women that can’t cook anything as well as some men id never let boil water. Im just thankful that my mom too the time to teach me.

By Kris

February 22, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

This is such a stereotype.

My father, fiance’, and soon to be father-in-law are all great bakers and cooks. As a matter of fact, my fiance’ does the majority of the baking and cooking in the house.

I wish we as a society could move past such 20th century and earlier thinking.

By Elizabeth Lee

February 22, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this

Cake Fan,

AJC’s Food & Drink section put together a package of red velvet cake recipes for Valentine’s Day. You can find them here. Also linked from that page are bakeries with good red velvet cakes, and a Southern legacy recipe for red velvet cake.

Happy baking!

By Chris

February 25, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this

It was required growing up in my parent’s household to know how to cook for yourself, both the boys and girls. We were required to make our own dinners on Friday nights starting at eleven, under supervision. Thanks mom, thanks dad. Heck my mom used to say my dad was the better cook and she was an incredible cook, but certain things he really did make better.

Funny how history repeats itself as now I do most of the cooking in my house. My wife and three girls tried to make me a cake for my birthday last week and it just fell apart. Love the effort, but it would have been OK for to make it except I was literally out working for 24 hours straight. (Don’t ask, you don’t want to know.)

By 液压升降机

April 2, 2008 1:07 AM | Link to this

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