Why I Cook

Earlier today, Michael Ruhlman posted a list of the reasons why he cooks, and he encouraged others to do the same on their respective blogs. Here are my reasons:

• I like being able to make people happy;


• It reminds me of my mother;


• When civilization ends, I need at least one marketable skill;


• "It doesn't matter how beautiful your theory is, it doesn't matter how smart you are. If it doesn't agree with experiment, it's wrong;"


• It makes the house smell really nice;


• To prove that I can;


• Food from a can gets old really quickly;


• Sometimes the only way to get something right is to make it yourself;


• It would be really embarrassing if people called me a food expert and I couldn't cook;


• Few things are more satisfying than taking water, flour, salt, and yeast and turning it into bread;


• Reading a bunch of food theory doesn't stick in my head if I don't lock it down with practice;


• It justifies the purchase of kitchen tools;


• It is my husbandly duty;


• Cooking gives us an insight into traditions, culture, and history. If there are people, then there is food;


• To encourage others to cook;


• There's no really good Italian food around here.

What are your reasons for cooking?