My poor wife has to deal with my adhd all the time, which includes cooking. I can’t stand cooking, and have always looked for ways to avoid it. I’ve seen lots of people on here express the same sentiment, and I’m curious if anybody has any advice? What works for you to trick your brain into cooking?

  • quickenparalysespunk@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    4·
    10 days ago

    for me, it’s always been about reducing steps. possibilities can be mixed and matched:

    • starting from grocery shopping stage, choose more items that are partially or fully cooked. can be main protein/carbs like frozen chicken patties, sliced bread, or it can be side dishes like pickled vegetables.
    • also for raw ingredients, choose items that are pre-chopped or pre-sliced. Asian supermarkets have thin sliced meat intended for hotpot but they’re also great sautéed or stir fried and Cook thoroughly in SECONDS. same goes for hotpot veggies.
    • many saucy dishes have condensed base version in jars. Japanese curry(non-spicy available) is sold in dry blocks that only require water and heat to become a rich comforting stew-like sauce. i also recommend Japanese blocks of “hayashi” sauce (beef & mushroom flavored thick sauce) and “cream stew”(can be used as a white gravy). these can even be used as pasta sauce. Italian style pasta sauce is also great. don’t have to use with pasta. Cook it with protein and/or veggies then just add any carb when serving.
    • traditional processed foods are great! not ultra processed foods, think sausage, meatballs, tofu, cheese, dumplings (gyoza, pot stickers, dim sum), pickled veggies, etc. these examples usually only need minimal cooking/reheating if any. if there is a Korean market within range, they often sell giant jars of kimchi (even non-spicy) which may be enough to serve as main veggies for several meals (pickled, so just open jar and serve).
    • use appliances to take over steps. i.e. electric slicer, stand/hand mixer, slow cooker, air fryer, instant pot, or “as seen on tv” style or aliexpress/daiso style kitchen gadgets like choppers, salad spinners, etc. don’t feel bound by using tools for only their original purpose! for example, instant pot is great at baking things while keeping them moist. that plus a quick broiler session in the oven makes for juicy roast meats!

    these are just some tips based on how i cook and eat. i know not all the foods or techniques are applicable to everyone but hopefully this can help you abstractify and extrapolate to the foods that fit you and your environment.

    some may not accept plating/serving these as true “cooking” but ultimately what’s the importance of “cooking” other than making sure your loved ones have food?