I am fortunate that I never have to cook up a storm for relatives and friends during Chinese New Year. If my mil happens to be back for CNY, she will be the chef, whipping up 2 – 3 sumptuous meals a day. She is even capable of cooking up a storm for a big group of relatives using all her high-end cookware, which she would only use if she has to cook ‘fanciful’ and ‘elaborate’ dishes. I dare not touch her cookware and collection of bakeware if she is not around, lest I accidentally break them, holy moly if I do as they are all very costly and imported! The pretty cookware and bakeware sit inside the kitchen cabinet nicely, with a layer of ‘protection’ until she returns.
I do not bake as I cannot find the time to do so, though at times I am very tempted to do some baking with my kids. My kids will love me if I am ambitious enough to let them bake some cookies with me. Whenever my mil is overseas for a stretch of a few months, I will prepare pretty simple dishes using pretty simple cookware. One time, I was so tired of cooking that I ordered some home-cooked catered food but after just one month, I gave up. No matter how busy I may be, I have since told myself that home-cooked steamed chicken and steamed fish are still way tastier and healthier than the daily catered food which I got, which was laden with oil (and I have no frigging idea what oil the caterer used) and burnt wok remnants on all the dishes!
If ever I have to take over the position of the chief chef of the house, I may buy a new collection of cookware. I will buy pots and pans that will help make my cooking sessions easier. I heard Shop Hot Pots have a good range of cookware. Busy me might just get them online since it’s so convenient. Yep, I am all for online shopping now ever since I started an online store myself.
In my humble opinion, being able to cook can overcome any cheap or expensive cookware. For me, the essential pieces are a good seasoned cast iron wok, a nonstick pan, and maybe a few saucepans of diff. sizes for boiling pasta or making soup. My MIL spent CAD 200 on a Kitchenaid crock pot. I bought a cheaper brand at a garage sale for CAD 5…does the same thing!
Chris, you’re very right!