Men Can Also Cook

For many women, Eid is the season to try new recipes. However, these days, things have turned around as we men have begun showing our skills in the kitchen.

Last week, I asked the lady of the house not to cook anything for Eid al Adha; to leave the kitchen in my control.

I told her this is the time for me to show off my culinary abilities by cooking a tasty meal.

As a custom, men in Oman do not usually cook. But I have always wanted to pitch in and share kitchen duties.

By doing so, I could learn the basics and this past Eid was the perfect time to showcase my skills.

After quietly watching the lady of the house prepare some dishes, I thought time was ripe to try my own. I said to my self, ‘It’s my time to show that men can also cook.’ Here I stress that I did not only want to cook, but cook delicious food.

As I usually spend most of my Eid holidays visiting relatives, that day I opted to cook something quick but delicious that would be ready just in time before I went out.

I opted to make baked bechamel pasta. Here is the recipe for the dish that I used. 100gm of unsalted butter, 2tbsp of white flour, 500ml of milk, shredded mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, one medium onion, 500gm of minced meat, one chopped carrot, half a capsicum, handful of parsley, tomato paste and pasta.

I arranged all these in a pan and baked for 30 minutes.

I am happy to say that the food was ready in time before the time we had planned to go out.

To my surprise and my family, it turned out to be one of the best meals we have had this past Eid.

They say ‘something good comes out of something bad’ and this is evident looking at the tasty meal that came out of the bad chef.

Life teaches us to enjoy things that we love and during this time, I was able to hone my creativity.

My wife was shocked. I never cook at home as I am always out but I realised that cooking doesn’t necessarily take much time.

I have to confess that I have always wanted to cook but I did not know where to start. But from now on, I will cook more often. The positive feedback from my wife is a testimony to my culinary skills.

However, I hope she doesn’t take advantage of my talent. “Since my husband has started showing interest in cooking, I am happy that my kitchen time will be reduced,” I overheard her telling the children.

This scenario happened to my brother-in-law. He also once wanted to show his skills in the kitchen but since that day, it has become his duty to cook for his family every weekend.

“It is almost three years now since I started cooking. I do so every weekend. It all started during Covid-19 lockdown period when I showed showcased my skills to my wife and since then, she gave up the kitchen on weekends,” he told me.

Anyhow, to men out there... please try and take control of your kitchen. I am sure you and your family will enjoy. Till next, bon appetit!