I got to thinking last week about why more people don't cook. Some people will say that they don't know how to cook or that it's too hard or that they lack the right equipment, but really, most cooking really isn't technically difficult. There are certain techniques that are very challenging, but most basic techniques that home cooks use regularly (boiling, sautéing, braising, roasting, baking) aren't hard and don't require a ton of special equipment (a few pots, a good knife, some spoons, a spatula, a roasting pan, maybe go all out and get a pair of tongs). You could actually get all the basics for under $250 — probably less —  if you watch for sales and accept that you won't have a fancy brand. (My favorite knife cost less than $50 and it works brilliantly.) Fee free to repurpose things creatively. Friday I baked bread in a casserole dish. Worked like a charm.

So why don't we cook at home more?

Well, I think the proliferation of cooking shows and "lifestyle" magazines is one reason. Your version of the recipe is never going to be as perfect as the one in the photo. Of course, you didn't make 15 so you could photograph the prettiest one. In addition, many of the recipes they give include unnecessarily complicated techniques or unusual ingredients or equipment. Who wants to go out and buy something they'll never use again. That's one of the things I like about Cooking Light. They have a whole section of additional uses for unusual ingredients so you can use up what you buy.

The other, and probably more important, reason is that cooking takes time. (Sorry, Rachael). You have to make a shopping list, go to the store, buy groceries, get them home and washed and put away. Then you get to start cooking which, even when it's not hands on (like marinating or roasting or rising), means that you have to allow time for it in an already busy day. Then you get to clean up. Now, you can organize that time well, doing preliminary tasks as early as possible, so that you can combine chores more effectively or set the chicken to marinate while you lie on a hammock. Or you can reduce the work by sharing among everyone who lives in the house (I cook, you clean up, etc.) or you can use a grocery delivery service. But in essence, you need to decide if cooking for yourself is a priority. If there isn't any thing else you find less important or enjoyable that you could cut out of your day, then maybe your time and money is best spent identifying good sources or takeaway foods and using those.