Why do people in Bangkok rely mostly on food from vendors or restaurants? There are multiple answers to this. Some spend most of their time on the road. Cooking is not allowed in some apartments and condominiums. Hoarding ingredients like meat and vegetables is too complicated for some. Others have no cooking experience. Or believe it's a waste of time. Some think it costs more to cook at home than dining out.
But for those with a true passion for cooking, the aforementioned issues are solvable. Right now there is no better person to explain why cooking at home is best than chef Vichit Mukura, who is host of the Yod Chef Thai (Best Thai Chefs) cooking programme airing every Sunday at 8am on Channel 32.
Vichit said a lot of people complain against eating outside the house. They say it's boring and a rush. Food served outside the house has no variety.
The chef suggested that cooking and eating at the house creates a warm family moment and there is no rush. When a meal is done, family members learn to help each other through cleaning the dishes and dining table.
Cooking at home can ensure food safety to a certain extent. Cooks can select the best ingredients and prepare dishes with extra care. Vichit noted that Thai cuisine has a great variety. Thailand also has food that is distinctive to each region that might not sound familiar to people in general. This can be considered a real challenge for those who like to cook, as it means new dishes can be created for the family.
According to Vichit, his cooking programme pays attention to the selection of ingredients, be they fresh or dried. The show also focuses on the preparation process, including how to properly wash the ingredients. In terms of seasoning, the programme only suggests an average. Those who watch the programme can adjust their own according to their preference.
Most of Vichit's fans are housewives. After watching his show, they cook the recipe on Sunday morning. The chef used to receive complaints from husbands that their wives really love to cook all recipes they watch on television. But men have the responsibility to taste those recipes, which is such a hard job.
Also, some viewers are in foreign countries. They will choose to cook recipes whose ingredients are available in their respective locations. Some Thai restaurant owners even add these dishes to their menus.
Some people don't cook at home because they feel like they have no time. These days, lives are rushed, and city people spend most of their time on the road. Whenever they have off days, they prefer to dine out for convenience. But if they choose not to cook at home and eat with family members, they miss the opportunity to create a family moment. So holidays should be the time well spent with loved ones.
Some say their homes aren't suitable for cooking. Some condominiums do not allow cooking that involves a gas stove or frying because it might cause a bad smell. If that's the case, an electric stove can be a solution. Also, they can cook by other means, such as steaming, boiling or making salads.
Many consider grocery shopping a burden. They believe buying ingredients is a complicated process. But think again. Ingredients have to be found in various types of places, be it a supermarket, fresh market, flea market, etc. So shopping in a way widens your horizons and the world of learning. It's a way to gain experience, to know what's best, what's fresh, and to learn how to compare prices, quality and so forth. This knowledge cannot be obtained in school; it can only be self taught.
Some say they have no cooking knowledge. Today there are a number of materials that provide culinary insights that can be accessed anywhere and anytime. These materials range from age-old, traditional cookbooks to online recipes.
First-time cooks might fail in terms of taste. But doing so more frequently can help enhance your skills and instincts. Cooks will learn to analyse problems and find ways to adjust their execution. The first cooking attempt is never perfect, just like when we first learned how to draw.
Some say self-cooked food costs more than eating at restaurants or vendors because of all the ingredients needed. But if you have enough experience and you know where to find quality ingredients at a reasonable price, this issue will be solved.
Cooking at home is ideal. But first ask yourself if you really love cooking. If the answer is yes, then you will be able to find a good solution to every cooking-related obstacle.
