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Ask HN: Hackers who cook

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Re: Ask HN: Hackers who cook

#111

Post by radicaledward »

Smirnoff wrote: post #32
radicaledward wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Interesting! What should be changed about American kitchen design to fix this problem? Is it possible to fix this issue without rebuilding the entire house?

No doors or windows in the house to let the smell escape :) On a serious note -- kitchens need to have a door (and not be connected to dining rooms or living rooms without doors). That way smell stays in the kitchen and escape through a separate kitchen-to-street ventilation system.

Ah yes. I can't think of the last time I was in a house that had doors to the kitchen that close.

Re: Ask HN: Hackers who cook

#112

Post by Cherian »

weavie wrote: post #108

1. I find the more natural (less processed) the food is, the better it is for you. I cook to ensure I know as much as possible what is in my food. Where possible I get my food from the butchers and green grocers and only go to the supermarket where necessary. 2. I don't plan ahead more than a day. 3. I cook meat and veg in some combination. If it was just me it would be a simple mix of meat with some veg and spices,…

I am looking to building something that breaks the monotony of “mastering”. People tend to cook the mastered ones for a lifetime.

Re: Ask HN: Hackers who cook

#114

Post by lappet »

1. It is relaxing and I can make food that is less greasy and tastier than takeout

2. I only cook on weeknights, so I buy fresh veggies based on what I am cooking

3. I usually cook Indian vegetarian and this includes a lot of dal's

4. No

5. Following recipes strictly may not work out so learn to improvise on the fly

And now my turn! I saw some malayalam on your FAQ page (വെള്ളരിക്കാപട്ടണം) - may I ask what that means? I can read a bit of tamil and that does look similar. Also, where are you based?

Re: Ask HN: Hackers who cook

#115

Post by anigbrowl »

cantankerous wrote: post #37
munificent wrote: post #28

1. I've always like the idea of cooking, but rarely got around to it. Then I had kids. Now that I need to provide a good healthy meal every night and it's harder to eat out, I had enough incentive to get over the hump of novice cook. Once I got a bit more skill, it got easier and a lot more enjoyable. I find the physical, analog, informal nature of cooking helps balance my otherwise too-logical, too-digital life. I l…

Random question: Do you have any suggestions for learning better knifework/technique? I feel like I'm SO SLOW at chopping anything and there has to be a more efficient way for me to work.

Obviously keep your knives sharp, although I'm quite lazy about this :)

Big knives are easier to cut with. Move the food around and pull the knife towards you through the food, so your dominant hand is just repeating the same slicing motion (which also reduces the likelihood of cuts). Some foods like to be cut a particular way, pay attention to the grain and try to stay at right angles to it.

Re: Ask HN: Hackers who cook

#116

Post by Cherian »

percevalve wrote: post #100

I do not cook very often, but when I do, I love doing bread and/or pastries using yeast... It is kind of fun 1. It is just for recreation 2. Nope, sometimes I just wake-up with the need to cook something. 3. All sorts of things, but I find using yeast fascinating... My best so far Kugelhopf 4. Nope, but maybe I should. 5. I have special technics to cut the vegetables... Carrots are my all time favorite...

If only I could get the swirly baking pan.

Re: Ask HN: Hackers who cook

#118

Post by hello_newman »

1. I cook because it's fun, and I got into it when I was about 12 and taught myself by watching cooking shows and reading cook books. I even considered it as a career path (and got the chance to meet Bobby Flay!)

2. I plan ahead, but a lot of times I'll just make what I'm craving to eat.

3. Being in LA with great weather, and being a fan of southwest inspired foods, I like using the grill as much as possible. Steaks, chicken, fish, pork, burgers etc.

4. Not really. Everything in moderation, even moderation itself ;)

5. Depends on your working style. I like to generally make everything at once when I feel like doing it. But I also like making sauces, rubs, marinades, etc and I like making those ahead of time to use when I want them. The best resource for good recipes is definitely foodnetwork.com

Re: Ask HN: Hackers who cook

#119

Post by zem »

1. i enjoy cooking; it's a nice relaxing hobby, and i like the food i cook 2. no, i usually decide what i want for dinner and pick up ingredients on the way home from work, or plan something using the contents of my fridge 3. there's seldom a 'usually'; i like variety. if i'm tired and just want a quick dinner, though, it's usually rice and a vegetable curry, or a single chicken thigh marinated for 30 minutes and then baked with rice and vegetables (both of which i can prepare without thinking about it and know it will taste good) 4. nope 5. mise en place is more helpful than you'd think. prep everything first, then start cooking.

Re: Ask HN: Hackers who cook

#120

Post by Cherian »

daveloyall wrote: post #81

> 1. Why do you cook? Is it to save cash or is it recreation? Or something else? Cooking is an old human activity--and I mean OLD! It's easy to forget what you are in this day and age. Tilling, growing, harvesting, cooking, and eating together helps me remember. > 2. Do you plan ahead? Like a weekly meal plan? I've tried that. No. > 3. What kind of things do you cook usually? Veggies. Sometimes I'd pick a random vege…

Ideally this is the message people should understand, but not that case when you factor in living in a city and time is a valuable currency.
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