Yeah, I used to do it whenever mine was away for work as well, and I had some space.

The process of accumulating the ingredients, then picking what I - I repeat, I!! - wanted to add to it, product by product, is something that is very healing and nurturing for me.

Mine took all the joy out of cooking for me. He would take over because he said I was 'OK' but not good enough. Funny how when his best friend came over once, he suddenly wanted me to make my cottage pie to impress him... I did as well! Best friend almost licked his plate and the dish it came in clean, LOL! I took that as a compliment, since I've met that guy's mother and she is such a wonderful homemaker and chef it's scary.

Getting that joy back now ;)

What did you make last night?? xx

I used to look forward to my spouse going hunting so that I could make whatever and do whatever I wanted.... for a few days.

Since I left I have not made anything special per-say as I am not very good about wanting to do anything, but when I do make food it is something I want and enjoy. I made vegetable lentil soup in the slow cooker over the weekend. This was a triple treat for me because it was a new food, something I wanted, and I was allowed to use my slow cooker without being hounded all day about if it was safe!

I love to cook. I learned the entire cuisine of my husband's country, even cakes that people usually buy, so that he would feel at home in my country. When we first married, he raved about my cooking. Now he tells my kids what an awful cook Mommy always was. :-(

I mostly cook to please my kids, but when I'm on my own, I like to go to a nice supermarket and pick out something that catches my eye. This summer, I made a particularly delicious gorgonzola/mushroom sauce with linguini. Mmm. Also love lots of salads. Olives, cheese-filled hot peppers, avocados. And I love to enjoy my meal watching a nice chick flik. :-)

Yellow, I'm glad you're enjoying that slow cooker now! OMG, he really sounded like he wouldn't leave you alone about it's safety :/ Enjoy the peace!

FarAndAway, what a terrible thing for him to do, especially after you went to all that effort to learn everything, and your kids having to hear that about you from him :( Honestly, when I read some of the stuff on here I just think, could these abusive losers have sunk any lower??? Good for you for enjoying your wonderful taste now :) Your pasta sauce sounds yummy! I have already had dinner, but my mouth is still watering... xx

Last night I did a good one, grilled salmon, squash, homemade rice pilaf, tonight cereal or frozen pizza. That may tell about how I am feeling right now.

Hope you are not feeling too badly, Andrea... anyway, don't worry, I eat cereal at all kinds of weird times! Have done ever since I was a student. For me it was not really about the economy or the inability/unwillingness to cook; it was just about the freedom of being able to pick something simple to eat without my mother getting upset that I hadn't finished every single morsel on my plate! She used to take it as a personal rejection *sigh*...

sounds like most of us had "one of those days" chicken in dumplins sounds good. ya know some god old comfort food.

Oooh. Slow cooker... awesome!

I've taken to frying bratwursts or sausage, and then toasting the bread in the grease. A touch of mustand, maybye drop some onion to carmelize in ther skillet, too, and there's a fast, easy - and AWESOME sandwich.

I wonder what would happen if I grilled canned tuna... Maybe mix an egg in with it.

I try to make something on the weekend that will provide left-overs for dinner during the week Like, Sunday I roasted a whole chicken. My son loves it...and then I can make stuff all week with the leftovers. Also love to do a big pot of soup in the winter.

I always liked to cook. When I was with my ex, he liked to cook too, it was usually a joint effort. One of the few things he didn't criticize too harshly about, I guess he liked to eat, lol.

But yeah, you are totally worth cooking a good meal for. In between, I might just make an omlette, or a hamburger or just a baked sweet potato and some other veggies. But yeah, treat yourselves well. It will give you a lift.

I was really thinking french onion soup but now that is a lot of work. Cooking is a very soothing activity. Day hasn't been bad just kinda kinda. You know we all all emotionally exhausted.

This is a good thread. It makes me hungry! And im giggling at the fun we seem to lead each other through with one little suggestion! All kinds of good wrapped up in something so simple- NICE!

All I need is to cook Polenta. It's my ultimate comfort food.

I love a home cooked meal and all of you are making me hungry right now, I love all the recipes you are posting on here, Keep spoiling yourself when you have the chance, I love to eat and food is comforting to me, I probably like to many comfort foods, I am a little on the chunky side, But who cares I like my food