It’s always fun to introduce someone new to the idea of Cooking With Friends. This past weekend, a friend came to visit us from Washington, D.C. He’s single, young, and a doctor, working long hours. He never, ever cooks for himself. It’s just me, he says, and then there are the dishes to clean up.
So we decided to involve him in the process–the three of us planned a barbeque dinner and something different for dessert–Bananas Foster. We went grocery shopping together, came home and had a great time cooking and lighting the flame for the dessert.
Our friend said that strangely, after all, cooking together was familiar to him. It’s what his Indian grandmother, mother and aunts always do. They make elaborate dishes, each having a particular job to do as they cook. It makes it easier, and there is always much talking. Our friend thought cooking alone was very American, compared to other cultures. I think Cooking With Friends is undeniably American, but something we need to rediscover.