Street Spirit

Who's the best cook? Extended-family included.

Street Spirit

My grandparents passed away when I was really young, so I can't use the go-to and say, 'no one cooks like grandma.'

I would have to say that my mother-in-law makes the most delicious, complete meals with some appetizers, main course - protein, a few choices of veggies and sides, etc - and (usually homemade) dessert. She makes delicious food and is always trying new recipes. She is a dietician and been cooking/baking professionally for decades.

There are some dishes, however, that my own mother makes that are some of our absolute favs and no one makes 'em as good as she does!

CanopyFlyer

My mother-in-law is a very accomplished cook. Christmas and Thanksgiving are always very tasty times of the year, due to her. The only problem is she has a narrow range of taste, primarily she does French and Italian, and not much outside of those two. A Julia Child cookbook is child's play to her.

My wife is also an accomplished cook. She is probably about 95% as good as her mother, with the benefit that she has a very broad range of tastes. So at our house we could be eating French one night, Indian the next and the third would be a nice contemporary American dish. These would not be simple, prepare in 30 minute, dishes either, but on the order of beef bourguignon and the like.

Then there is me. I can say that I am the third best cook in my extended family. I can follow a recipe as well as anyone, but I don't have the extensive experience of my wife or mother-in-law in the kitchen. However my veggie lasagna has been considered the best by just about everyone who has eaten it, and it is my own recipe. My chili is extremely good too, I don't know if it would win any contests, but when the family is together, and in the mood for chili, I'm the one they send to the kitchen.

Trackruner228

iTrader: (1)

It really depends on the food. My moms side is Greek and my dads Italian so food kind of runs in our family. My moms mom could pretty much cook anything. My dads parents are also really good cooks. My grandmom can make such a good cake. My dad doesnt cook often but for the holidays he makes his apple pies and holy crap are they awesome. My mom can pretty much cook anything.

I have an aunt (not a blood relative) and I would have to say shes awesome. She could probably be a chef is she really wanted too. Even recently my sister has started cooking really well.

I think really the only person who cant cook is me.

pmptx

Well,

1st=Me-Culinary School and a pretty broad range
Primary dishes=Duck-Rotisserie/Smoke, Italian anything (Heritage helps here)
2nd=My dad-Good range and has good feel for timing and ingredient additions
Primary Dishes-Chicken and Sausage in a killer white wine sauce, best red sauce anywhere (including my house)
3rd=MIL-Can take any recipe and give it a new twist to make it her own
Primary dishes-Heartier fare and great appetizer/party food

Street Spirit

I want to add my husband to this list. He's been experimenting with some new meals and techniques the past few years and they have all been

The Dougler

iTrader: (1)

my entire family sucks at cooking, they all make the most boring food ever and it's always over done and under flavored. Drives me nuts.

subinf

Me. Although my mom can make more dishes than I can from memory.

TS_eXpeed

Padre. Hands down.

TSX 'R' US

Mom and Dad...though Dad and his side of the family owns a restaurant...
My fiancee is a pretty good cook herself
My cousin is an awesome cook too and her husband makes the best Chili I've had...

Bearcat94

You should try some Italian Sausage with Peppers and Onions.


My family? Me.

Used to be my mom - homemade spaghetti sauce, Chicken Pot Pie, Lemon Merangue pie, etc.

My brother is pretty good too.

My sister? You'd starve or die of fast food overdose before she'd cook something you'd eat.

Caveat: For Korean food, MIL is the champ.

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

My mom cooks really good curry dishes.

I can cook pretty good.

And my wife's sister is probably the best.

AznX TL

my mom, even my grandma gets hungry for her cooking.
but if it comes to American or Italian cuisine i usually can out do her cooking.

SG81

iTrader: (1)

mom by far. she use to have a restaurant before she retired

CarbonGray Earl

the best cooks? My father before he died (RIP) and now, my father-in-law. The FIL is really good on the grill.

I think the greatest compliment paid to my dad is the fact that people that knew him and meet me and at some point say "I really miss your dad's cooking".

Consequently, I cook better than my wife, my sister, and my mom.

sasha

Everybody thinks my dad cooks the best in my family. He can cook fast and straight from memory. I still don't know how he can remember all the ingredients and the amount needed for each recipe.

Oh, and his leche flan (a caramel-topped, custard-based dessert) is the bomb! I try not to eat other people's version or taste one from a restaurant because I'll just end up comparing it to his recipe. My dad is also well known for his kinilaw, the Filipino version of ceviche, and he would only make one if he can buy fresh tuna straight from the pier.

One of my favorite memories of him stems back from grade school and high school when he would show me how to prepare food every night. It was our time to joke around and talk about school, sports, and politics. Now that I live thousands of miles away from home and started cooking a lot since I got married, I always remember my dad whenever I cook. I think I'll teach my kids the same way one day.

bigmark89

Well, my grandma is the best cook as far as cooking foods from out ethnicity. But id have to say for everything else im the best cook by far. Ive been seriously into coking since I was like 10 and have been cooking ever since, it also helps to be a culinary student.

-Mark