[Blindtlk] Hobbies?

[Julie J.]

Peter,

I cook on the stovetop nearly daily.   I prefer to bake, but I think that's 
because I enjoy cookies and cakes more than meat and vegetables!  Seriously 
though, I haven't found cooking particularly difficult as a blind person. 
Most things I determine doneness by their texture or smell.  Meat smells 
different when it's browned.  I cook vegetables until they feel soft, but 
not soggy, when poked with the wooden spoon.  Same thing with pasta, 
although I usually eat a noodle to double check.  I really don't like 
underdone pasta.

To drain noodles I place the strainer in the sink in a corner so it won't 
slide around.  then I slowly pour into the strainer.  My husband, who is 
sighted, prefers to use the type of strainer spatula thingy that you hold 
against the edge of the pan and pour through.  I don't have enough hand 
strength to do it this way because you have to be able to hold the pan with 
only one hand.  the other is holding the spatula strainer.

I've been buying hamburger directly from the butcher for several years now. 
The meat is very lean and rarely is there enough fat that it needs to be 
drained.  However in the days of grocery store hamburger, I would use paper 
towels to absorb the excess fat.  There are lots of ways to remove the extra 
fat.  the paper towels are just what I find easiest.

For flipping I generally use a standard spatula.  although if I anticipate 
that the contents of the pan might splatter or the grease might pop a lot, I 
prefer to use tongs.  They give me more control and a firm grip on the piece 
of meat.  For flipping things like eggs or pancakes, the trick is to flip 
fast.

We are just moving into spring and our meals will get lighter with more 
fresh ingredients.  For most of the winter we eat things like: beef stew, 
pot roast, chili, chicken and dumplings, spaghetti and variations on these. 
In the summer we'll eat a lot more grilled meats and sautéed vegetables.

I have grilled numerous times independently.  It really isn't that much 
different from stovetop cooking.  Getting your heat source going is 
different, of course, but the actual cooking isn't all that different.  Then 
again I learned to cook on a gas stove, so maybe grilling doesn't bother me 
because I'm comfortable with the open flame. I'd suggest starting with 
steak, pork chops or bigger pieces of chicken.  Decent sizes of meat that 
won't roll and won't fall down inside your grill are easiest.  If you grill 
vegetables, try putting them in foil or using a grill basket.

I think if I get my garden bed preparation done, I'm going to make a carrot 
cake this afternoon.  I'm thinking we'll have Shepherd's Pie for supper to 
use up a lot of the vegetables in the refrigerator. And I agree with you 
cooking and cleaning are basic life skills everyone should know regardless 
of gender roles.  My son actually wants to be a restaurant owner.  He's 
turning out to be a very good cook.  When I met my husband he only knew how 
to grill and make frozen pizza.  It's been 9 years, but he does have enough 
skill in the kitchen now that he would be okay if something happened to me. 
We had to find that out the hard way when I broke my foot.  Microwave 
dinners are not nearly as tasty as the commercials lead one to believe!

It concerns me when you say that your partner won't let you cook or clean 
and that your yoga pants were taken away.  I don't know your situation and 
I'm not trying to be judgmental in any way.  I'm saying this to you because 
I value you as a person.  the kind of control you are describing seems 
abusive to me.   Please take care of yourself.  There are organizations that 
can help.  Please reach out and let people help you.

Julie