Thursday
Jan292009
Food and Cooking Habits
Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 7:10AMCan you help me with a little unscientific research?
I am interested to know about your food and cooking habits. I'd love to know your answers to any or all of these questions:
- How often do you cook? For how many people?
- What determines your food buying choices--what's on sale, what's local, what's organic, what's easy, what's new and adventurous, or all of the above?
- Do you have a daily/weekly/monthly food budget?
- Where do you shop--grocery store, farmer's market, agricultural co-op, all of the above?
- What's your favorite thing to cook? What's your favorite thing to eat?
- What's the food indulgence you just don't ever wanna live without?
You can leave a comment on the blog, or send me an email. Anyone who does respond will be added to a list for a private sneak preview of a new project I'm cooking up, with invitations to follow soon.
As always, thanks so much for reading--I am excited about the projects coming down the pike from ye olde Cottage Industrialist, and I'm so grateful to have cool people to share them with!
Reader Comments (15)
1. How often do you cook? For how many people?
5 nights out of the week for two. Me and Mrs. BigDumbChimp
2. What determines your food buying choices--what's on sale, what's local, what's organic, what's easy, what's new and adventurous, or all of the above?
all of the above and more
3. Do you have a daily/weekly/monthly food budget?
Yes. We try to stay under $100.00 per week at the grocery store. We sometimes make that.
4. Where do you shop--grocery store, farmer's market, agricultural co-op, all of the above?
Whole Foods, Piggly Wiggly, and in season road side stands.
5. What's your favorite thing to cook? What's your favorite thing to eat?
I was a chef for about 8 years so I love to cook pretty much anything. This is pretty cliche, but It is hard for me to resist a good Rib Eye.
6. What's the food indulgence you just don't ever wanna live without?
Cheese Burgers, fries and beer.
1. How often do you cook? For how many people?
I cook once or twice a week--for two. John cooks four or five times a week--for two.
2. What determines your food buying choices--what's on sale, what's local, what's organic, what's easy, what's new and adventurous, or all of the above?
All of the above. It really depends on the day. Although, more and more, we'll probably be buying what's on sale.
3. Do you have a daily/weekly/monthly food budget?
No. We should probably get on that.
4. Where do you shop--grocery store, farmer's market, agricultural co-op, all of the above?
We shop at grocery stores mostly; when it's warmer, we try to get to the farmer's market once a week.
5. What's your favorite thing to cook? What's your favorite thing to eat?
I can only cook a couple of things really well...my tortilla pie is pretty excellent, I hear . I like most to eat John's Asian cooking--he makes many versions of this dish with rice, cucumber, cilantro, carrot, etc. and marinated, grilled flank steak that I can't get enough of...
6. What's the food indulgence you just don't ever wanna live without?
I'm sure there are too many. Today I would say really good cheese and truffle honey.
How often do you cook? For how many people?
Six nights a week, 5 - 6 people
What determines your food buying choices--what's on sale, what's local, what's organic, what's easy, what's new and adventurous, or all of the above?
Cost, variety, nutrition
Do you have a daily/weekly/monthly food budget?
Weekly, I try to stay in the 120 - 130 range (we have 1/2 a cow in the freezer)
Where do you shop--grocery store, farmer's market, agricultural co-op, all of the above?
Bi-Lo weekly, produce stand occasionally, Whole Foods occasionally for bulk items + special treats
What's your favorite thing to cook? What's your favorite thing to eat?
stir fry / a huge salad with a ton of veggies + buffalo fried chicken (but I hate making it due to piddly time consuming nature)
What's the food indulgence you just don't ever wanna live without?
Butter
1. My husband and trade off cooking about 6 nights a week. We cook for 2 or 3, depending if my daughter is with us.
2.My husband shops each night when he gets off work, so usually he picks out what's on sale.
3. We don't really have a set budget for that. We just shop wisely.
4.We shop at the grocery store.
5. We cook a huge variety, so no "favorites". My favorite thing to eat is sushi!
6. Dark chocolate. Or maybe sushi!
1. How often do you cook? For how many people?
4 days a week, give or take. For 2 adults and 2 kids under 3.
2. What determines your food buying choices--what's on sale, what's local, what's organic, what's easy, what's new and adventurous, or all of the above?
I plan a menu and then add snacks. Sometimes it's what's on sale. Usually,...whatever's easy.
3. Do you have a daily/weekly/monthly food budget?
Kinda. $200/week. Like that happens.
4. Where do you shop--grocery store, farmer's market, agricultural co-op, all of the above?
Trader Joes and Fresh and Easy then Ralph's or Von's to fill in.
5. What's your favorite thing to cook? What's your favorite thing to eat?
Seared chicken breast salad. Chicken and mushrooms with sherry over potatoes.
6. What's the food indulgence you just don't ever wanna live without?
Dessert. Like I need it every night. Cookies, chocolate cake with cream cheese icing...
1. How often do you cook? For how many people?
I cook maybe six nights a week ... for two. Well, two people, but I like cooking recipes for four because I dig leftovers in the lunchbox.
2. What determines your food buying choices--what's on sale, what's local, what's organic, what's easy, what's new and adventurous, or all of the above?
Depends -- Cost for sure. I like to try new recipes, so lately I buy according to what recipes appeal to me. I also try to shop with the plan to have a few super easy dinners for days I'm exhausted from school. This summer we'll be back on the organic produce home delivery plan. Yay!
3. Do you have a daily/weekly/monthly food budget?
Nope. Need one desperately.
4. Where do you shop--grocery store, farmer's market, agricultural co-op, all of the above?
I wish I could muster the early morning mojo for the farmer's market! Mostly grocery store -- around here Super Target has the best produce. Plus it's Target! If I feel like splurging, Whole Foods or Fresh Market. I like farm stands in the summer. Food tastes better when you buy it from people in overalls.
5. What's your favorite thing to cook? What's your favorite thing to eat?
Why is this such a hard question? Gosh. I am filled with joy when I can actually achieve medium rare!
6. What's the food indulgence you just don't ever wanna live without?
Good cheese!
. How often do you cook? For how many people?
5 nights per week for 2 adults, but I usually make enough for lunch the next day
2. What determines your food buying choices--what's on sale, what's local, what's organic, what's easy, what's new and adventurous, or all of the above?
I drive my husband crazy because I could spend hours in the grocery store comparing prices and then trying to decide if it is worth spending the extra money for that particular item in organic, the answer most always being an emphatic YES!, but the budget doesn't always allow. So I guess it is a combination of price, locality, organic, what I have planned for that week...
3. Do you have a daily/weekly/monthly food budget?
No, but I try to go to the grocery store with a plan (i.e. one meal for every night of the week I need to cook based on our schedule) instead of just randomly grabbing things and I rarely buy any snacks except for our weekly icecream choice, much to the chagrin of my husband. So we keep it pretty reasonable. I would rather spend less on groceries and splurge on our date night out.
4. Where do you shop--grocery store, farmer's market, agricultural co-op, all of the above?
We belong to a local co-op for our organic veggies, Publix is my main grocery, mostly because of its convenient location on my way home from work, but there is also the occasional Earth Fare or Whole Foods stop.
5. What's your favorite thing to cook? What's your favorite thing to eat?
I don't know that I necessarily have a favorite thing to cook or eat. I love food in general and definitely suffer from Chef Envy.
What's the food indulgence you just don't ever wanna live without?
Stinky cheese, crusty bread, aged balsamic and good olive oil
How often do you cook? For how many people?
I cook maybe 3X a week, just for myself. I make extra so I have leftovers.
What determines your food buying choices--what's on sale, what's local, what's organic, what's easy, what's new and adventurous, or all of the above?
I am a recipe follower. I can't riff off my own mind. So I buy what the recipe calls for. I hate wasting food so I try to buy only what I need.
Do you have a daily/weekly/monthly food budget?
No. I don't even think about it (but I probably should)
Where do you shop--grocery store, farmer's market, agricultural co-op, all of the above?
I shop at Trader Joe's a lot, and then the regular grocery store and Whole Foods for everything else.
What's your favorite thing to cook? What's your favorite thing to eat?
I love to cook Indian/other Asian/ Mexican one-pot meals. I like to eat a variety of things on one plate (you know, a meat, a veg, a starch, a salad) but I can't often get around to that, since I cook for myself. So the one-pot solution works as a good compromise.
What's the food indulgence you just don't ever wanna live without?
Good ice cream, but I really want to give up dairy. That will be the hardest part~no ice cream!
1. How often do you cook? For how many people? I cook all of our meals (my husband and I) from scratch 3x a day unless we go out.
2. What determines your food buying choices--what's on sale, what's local, what's organic, what's easy, what's new and adventurous, or all of the above? I only buy local, organic and vegetarian.
3. Do you have a daily/weekly/monthly food budget? I try to spend no more than 125 a week.
4. Where do you shop--grocery store, farmer's market, agricultural co-op, all of the above? Local food co-op and farmer's market.
5. What's your favorite thing to cook? What's your favorite thing to eat? Vegetables, risottos and soup! The same things are my favorite to eat!
6. What's the food indulgence you just don't ever wanna live without? Local fresh vegetables. Locally made jam and chocolate. I feel so lucky to live in an area with so many local, environmentally food choices.
1. How often do you cook? For how many people?
I probably cook about 5 nights a week in general. We'll go out for dinner sometimes when I don't feel like cooking or we have soccer practice or something. And the hubby cooks on weekends frequently. 2 adults and 2 littles.
2. What determines your food buying choices--what's on sale, what's local, what's organic, what's easy, what's new and adventurous, or all of the above?
I definitely try to stick to local foods, but that can be hard in Maine in the winter! There are certain things that I think are worth buying organic, and others that I don't think are. I think that sometimes it can just be hype, the organic thing. Like when I was in a grocery store in NH that was selling "organic" lobster. Yeah, whateva'. It's from the sea, people! Like you know what that lobster is eating out there on the sea floor.
3. Do you have a daily/weekly/monthly food budget?
I do have a monthly budget but I'm not really particular about sticking to it. It's pretty high! Sometimes I will go over, but that's usually due to guests or entertaining.
4. Where do you shop--grocery store, farmer's market, agricultural co-op, all of the above?
Local grocery store - Hannaford. In the summer, I shop at the farmer's market or our local farm stand almost daily. We also have our own garden.
5. What's your favorite thing to cook? What's your favorite thing to eat?
I love to bake, and my favorites would be brownies or cheesecake or scones. I made blueberry jam for the first time this past summer and I loved canning! I can't wait to do more next summer. My favorite thing to eat is, hands-down, sushi from my favorite sushi restaurant. In terms of favorite thing to eat at home, it might have to be my husband's shrimp and grits. Or I make a pretty good pork fried rice.
6. What's the food indulgence you just don't ever wanna live without?
Well, my fave food ever is sushi, and I would be sad not to be able to eat it. I also love my homemade brownies. Oh...and can I admit to having a craving sometimes for Pringles? *head hanging in shame*
Dear Cameron,
I hope my answers will satisfy your curiosity.
1. How often do you cook? For how many people? I cook every day, for myself and my son. Just moved and I'm looking forward to my kitchen being remodeled and being able to host dinner parties and Sunday brunches.
2. What determines your food buying choices--what's on sale, what's local, what's organic, what's easy, what's new and adventurous, or all of the above? The provenance of the products I purchase is the first thing I look at (living in The Netherlands, anything Dutch is pretty much local, LOL). When buying fresh fruits and vegetables, I consider what is in season. I then chose organic above industrially farmed/processed products. I try to buy items that are on sales, but this is not a must, as long as it fits into my budget; for this reason I draw up weekly menu plans.
3. Do you have a daily/weekly/monthly food budget? I have a montly budget. Whatever is left over at the end of the month goes into the savings account.
4. Where do you shop--grocery store, farmer's market, agricultural co-op, all of the above? I go to the grocery store, both organic and traditional; the Saturday market, the fish monger and the organic butcher; for spices, dried herbs and rice, the oriental grocery store.
5. What's your favorite thing to cook? What's your favorite thing to eat? I can't say I have any specific favourite... I cook and eat almost anything. I don't mind spending hours in the kitchen. In winter, I love stews and hearty soups, in summer lighter dishes. The important thing is that the dishes are appropriate for the season.
6. What's the food indulgence you just don't ever wanna live without? After dinner and having done the necessary household chores, I love to sit down and relax in my armchair with a cup of chamomile tea (or any calming herbal tea) and a biscuit... one, just ONE, is all I need.
1. How often do you cook? For how many people?--3-5 nights/week depending on the week for 2 adults and one pre-schooler
2. What determines your food buying choices--what's on sale, what's local, what's organic, what's easy, what's new and adventurous, or all of the above?--veggies/fruits--what's at the farmers market (except bananas). Other stuff is bought based on what recipe I am making and staples
3. Do you have a daily/weekly/monthly food budget?--no but we probably should. I try to do less than $30 at the farmers marker.
4. Where do you shop--grocery store, farmer's market, agricultural co-op, all of the above? Just farmers market, Raleys (local, typical grocery store) and Trader Joes.
5. What's your favorite thing to cook? What's your favorite thing to eat?--I like to bake cookies and sweets (and I like to eat them). Lately I've been trying to cook more Asian cuisine which is fun. I like to eat Mexican food but try to prepare healthier stuff at home.
6. What's the food indulgence you just don't ever wanna live without? Creme brulee and other rich, puddingish desserts and warm choc chip cookies
1. How often do you cook? For how many people?
5-6 Nights a week for two. Husband and I.
2. What determines your food buying choices--what's on sale, what's local, what's organic, what's easy, what's new and adventurous, or all of the above?
I have been in the habit of making weekly menus. I go through my cookbooks, my newest purchased food mag, etc. and try and find 7-9 (5 nights for certain and 2-3 easy quick no-hassle backups) dishes I think I might like, keeping it seasonal, if possible. I find this keeps me on budget too. I always shop for organic but am aware of local for sure and sales. If the ingredients aren't there... I pencil in the back up.
3. Do you have a daily/weekly/monthly food budget?
Yes. It is probably our one luxury. For 2 people we allow $450-500/month on food.
4. Where do you shop--grocery store, farmer's market, agricultural co-op, all of the above?
I mostly shop at one of Whole Foods conglomerates throughout the winter (and for staples) and do a CSA/Farmer's Market run 2x/week April-Nov.
5. What's your favorite thing to cook? What's your favorite thing to eat?
I don't know, it keeps changing. I love pasta beyond belief and love that I can whip up a sauce in the time it takes the water to boil but I've been pretty smitten with Asian cuisines recently. Vietnamese, Thai, Szechuan, etc.
6. What's the food indulgence you just don't ever wanna live without?
Apparently I forgot to type in number 6!
My favorite food indulgence... home-made fruit & yogurt popsicles. I know that sounds weird. But they keep me going all summer.
Hi Cameron,
I know I am kind of late, but I felt a deep need *weird* to answer your questions...
1. I cook every night mostly from recipes for 4 people. We are two adults and one toddler, but hubby eats a bunch or I have left overs for lunch the next day.
2. I buy what the recipe calls for, but since the recipes are seasonal, I buy mostly what is on season. But I have also being known for paying 3,50 Euro for a ripe mango flown from my homeland (Brazil) to where we live now (Germany), so there is some contradiction going on.
3. I try to stick to 130 Euros/week, we live in Munich and everything is really expensive here (let's not forget those mangos)
4. Grocery store, farmer's market and fruit stands over the pedestrian zones.
5. I looooove to bake! The mixture of science and goodness is just irresistible to me. But I like Sushi a lot too. And Hubby's risotto.
6. I don't think I would be able to live without milk, does it count as an indulgence? If not make that really good beef steaks ;-D