I Can’t Stop Binge Cooking

But I really need to though, because my grocery bill is too damn high!

Reality show food competitions are my secret obsession. I watch them all, from Chopped and Top Chef to Triple Threat, Ciao House and BBQ Showdown.

But here’s the thing. As I’m watching, I’m salivating. I’m getting hungry. I’m thinking about what’s in my fridge, freezer, and pantry. I have this uncontrollable desire to recreate everything I’m watching, whether I have the ingredients or not. 

I work from my home office, so if I’m truly inspired by what I see the chefs doing on TV, I will make a special trip to the supermarket or farmer’s market, load up on whatever I need (even if it means using my credit card to pay for it) and bring home a bounty that I immediately unpack. Then I plot out my meals. Not just one. Several meals meant to last me for the week ahead. Let the binge cooking begin!

I start with the recipe that requires the most prep and cooking time so that I can have that one simmering, roasting, or slow-cooking while I work on the rest of the dishes. I usually cook one favorite recipe I’ve made before, one inspired by a food show I watched and think I can replicate, and one “reach” dish I’m not sure I can make at all, but I’m willing to experiment.

Did I mention that I live alone?

Since I never learned how to cook for one, I make as many servings as the recipe says it should yield. I figure I can always freeze a serving or two for the future, have enough leftovers for the rest of the week, share some with friends and/or drop off a few servings at my parents' house so they don’t have to cook that much. My mom, who I’m happy to say passed on her cooking gene to me, has arthritis in her hands and it’s hard for her to cook for the two of them anymore. So I bring them a bunch of options.

Yep, I cooked all of this: Salmon Nicoise, Shrimp and Corn Chowder, Steak and Smashed Potatoes, Ham and Cheese Sheetpan Quiche, Garlic Chicken Thighs, Tomato Carpaccio, Shepherd’s Pie, and Lobster with Bucatini Pasta.

Today I dropped off some gumbo, chicken cutlets, tuna fish salad, and pasta primavera. My dad won’t eat the pasta (too much garlic) or the gumbo (because it has okra in it) but I know my mom will. I guess I just keep hoping that I can train my dad’s palate to accept something new. But I don’t think that old dog is interested in any new tricks. I don’t take it personally, though; my mom’s palate has always been way more sophisticated than my dad’s.

This week I spent about $95 at Whole Foods. I usually go to ShopRite, but lately, it doesn’t seem to matter where I go: all of the prices are way too high. Periodt. 

At some point, I am going to have to stop acting like I have carte blanche to purchase fancy shit like an organic red bell pepper that cost me $2.99 (yes, for just one damn pepper) or splurge on something like a jar of black truffle mustard (which cost me about $6 at HomeGoods–that’s where I go for discount gourmet food condiments and pasta).

I know it doesn’t make financial sense. I know I should be sticking to a budget. But life is short and cooking helps keep me calm. If I can’t afford to go to therapy right now, I might as well spend what I can on something that truly makes me happy. So don’t judge me. But if you have any coupons you’d like to swap, I’m here for it, lol.