Cooking Asian food – Do we still need to know how?
Posted on 30 October 2008 by Seleena Lloyd
We all know that Asian food is one of Britain’s best-loved cuisines. But is this cuisine becoming relegated more and more to restaurants, or are the second and third generation British Asians learning how to cook their traditional dishes? And more importantly, should they know how to make dhal and rice? While some may see the often long and tedious methods of Asian cooking unnecessary in these days of takeaways and eat-ins, others view cooking as an all-important link to their heritage and culture. I interview a sample of eighteen to twenty year olds to find out what the Asian youth of today have to say.
Meet Berouz Bashir, nineteen years old and studying engineering at university. He looks at me seriously when asked if he believes it is important for young men to be able to cook their motherland’s traditional dishes.
“No, because if he’s in his own country he won’t be expected to make food, so why should he here? There’s no need. The girl will cook.” I am incredulous. Tentatively, I ask on, inquiring whether his response changes when the question is in relation to a young woman.
“Yes, because its part of her culture, she should be able to cook. It will make her a more attractive prospective wife”. So articulate, yet so Neanderthal. Or am I being too feminist? I move on to my next interviewee with some trepidation.
I ask Shehleeza Khan, also nineteen and at university, the same question. Does she believe it is important for a young woman to be able to cook traditional foods? Her answer is more reassuring:
“It’s just another way to keep in touch with your culture and roots whilst growing up in another country. It’s not something you have to be able to do, it’s something you should enjoy and value as a link to yours and your parent’s and ancestor’s culture.”
Now she sounds like she knows what she’s talking about. I notice she has not been gender specific in her answer, and ask her if she believes gender makes a difference to the importance of learning to cook. Again her answer impresses me. Maybe I am biased.
“I think it’s quite sexy for guys to be able to cook. Why should it matter if they’re able to cook traditional British dishes or traditional Asian dishes - if anything it shows their attached to their roots. But I do think that within the Asian culture, the older generations; parents, grandparents etc, put a lot more pressure on the girls about cooking traditional dishes - it isn’t something which is associated with or expected of Asian men”.
So does her reasoning excuse Mr. Bashir’s response? Or at the very least, validate it? I’m still unsure. Surely being brought up in a country which impresses upon us all the importance of equality for the sexes would have had some impact. I am still in need of another opinion. This time I specifically seek out a male, to try and restore my faith in the masculine sex.
Dev Thakker, twenty and studying medicine, reassures me he does think it is important for men to be able to cook:
“Firstly because I’m vegetarian and Asian food caters to that really well. I also think it’s important to keep the culture going, because nowadays it’s not like all the women cook from an early age like they used to!” He doesn’t believe the different genders should have different roles when it comes to cooking (Yes - my kind of guy!), and is all for equality of men and women.
I speak to a few more people after Berouz, Shehleeza and Dev, and it would seem that most young British Asians share the following view: knowing how to cook traditional dishes is important because it provides a link to your culture, regardless of you being male or female. This is my view too; and as we live in a democratic society Mr. Bashir, I conclude that I am not being too feminist!
   (11 votes. Average: 3.55 out of 5) |
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October 30th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Real men cook.. ;oP
October 30th, 2008 at 10:57 am
Totally agree with that conclusion.
I was a bit taken back by Berouz’s comment, it’s not even backward, it’s male shouvenism (typo).
I know we take ready food for granted, but there is nothing more special than being able to cook, especially our traditional food from scratch. All the blood, sweat and tears, from the onions, then that slightly charcoaled smell from burning the bottom to catch the phone call, it just makes you appreciate your meal more (Actually that must be plain hunger from waiting so long!)
Especially when you are cooking for others, makes me feel really proud that I have this hidden talent.
It’s not a female thing, I would ask a guy if he can cook as much as I’m asked.
Traditionally, it would have been instilled in the girls at home, and instilled in the boys in their father’s restaurants, so there really is no exemption.
In a relationship where both partners are working, the male should be capable of lightening his partners load.
Besides, cooking together is a beautiful thing to do together.
And although, I never learn’t it as a way to get back to my roots, in terms of bonding a newly wed family, cooking seems to be the mutual language between a mother and daughter-in-law. In fact, it seems to be the only thing they can talk about together.
I’m not a great cook, I’ve learn’t my basics and do make an attempt every now and then. But I think we really should be encouraged to learn the homestyle of cooking. If we don’t have our family at hand, there should be classes, or at least a decent cooking programme for british asians.
October 30th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Both my parents cook all the time, however; I like my dads cooking more. (he takes more risks when cooking different stuff)
Im 21 and I know a bit more than the basics about cooking. (I cook a very good chicken curry with Dhaal!!)
According to my dad, I have potential for being a VERY good cook; so am still taking cooking lessons from him once a month.
I agree with Shehleeza Khan in the article - men who cook are so much more sexier!! It just shows that they have this affectionate side to them - and that their not afraid to break stereotypes of an asian guy. (returning home, expecting the wife to take his shoes off and to put food on the table!)
Before I marry, I’ll make sure to ask if he knows how to cook good biriyani first (and then if he knows how to take his shoes off himself)!!
October 30th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
I can cook :D
(but I tend to avoid it as it’s a smelly and time consuming activity)
October 30th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
It’s not that hard to pick up. There’s a really good book out there by Vicky Bhogal called ‘Cooking like Mummyji’ which is a great starting point.
October 30th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
;) to Sexy Male!!
October 30th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
This is a very well written article. I look frwd to reading more of your work.
October 30th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
;) ;) to Sexy Male, lol
October 30th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Cooking is an art, like any other art u need to put ur heart into it. there is nothing more rewarding then cooking up a mean curry, stir fry or grilled dish. And then sitting down and appreciating ur hard work over a glass of rubicon mango juice. lol
but yea those men who can cook are also good lovers, so mr bashir i guess u r neither.
October 31st, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Just decided to cook, and now I smell of onions. :(
October 31st, 2008 at 9:02 pm
dat guys a twat
im a guy and i can cook… i will teach my cooking 2 my children… its not about whos role it is to cook… its a life skill….maybe mr bashir shouldnt go to university if he has such ignorant views in life…i didnt learn to cook because i need 2 knw or because it is my role 2 knw… or because i am forced… i learn because i am a human being and knowledge carries more wealth than any piece of money could…. there forethere is a need to learn ur heritage and traits of ur culture or else it will die out and we will be subject to the dispicable western way of life…
October 31st, 2008 at 9:02 pm
here we go with the western-bashing
October 31st, 2008 at 9:04 pm
the western way of life is a disrespectful way of life… dey hav no respect for der parents… they base emphasis on material stuff…its a capitalist way of life… based on greed and lust… its filth… those who forget their heritage and try bcome something they arent are fools…u will never be them… u aint white…
October 31st, 2008 at 9:05 pm
I can cook! Hell Yeah! Chicken Curry, Rice, Yogurt w/ onions.. yummy :)
October 31st, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Eat, drink, and sleep curry it’s one of those…mouth watering dishes so much loved by many while the symphony sends you sound to sleep. Especially if its my my mother cooking - she keeps my mind and body alive and ticking.
Ocassionaly, I cook for my parents when I visit them but the rest of the time I cook for myself and others if they are
around. I can’t vouch wheter the next generation running to macdonalds but I know that there is nothing better then buying fresh meat and veg wholesome and natural and marinating it with different flavours and spices. This is real living. In future I would love to grow my own veg etc. although my parents have their patch.
I think the greatest concern today is whether our food is wholesome and natural and not a fast fix to the local restaurant.
Fast living makes fast eating without real concen about what we are eating. So lets get back to the kitchen and look after our selves.
October 31st, 2008 at 9:06 pm
actually, i have particular affection for palak paneer . . . . .
October 31st, 2008 at 9:07 pm
hey dude..(shah asir) what you said about cooking…i respect you for that.
i hate the fact that guys think girls are supposed to be the cooks..very patriachal and i hate it…but you’ve proved there are guys out there that dont think the same. you make some very valid points.
im not much of a fan of curry and what not - but it definately remains apart of my life, my culture, my background and so forth.its definately a trait to be past on.
i dont think its western bashing what you’re saying..but it does seem a little harsh..but hey thats jus my opinion.
adn responding to what rahi said…i think despite the fact that children are running to these fast food places nothing beats a home cooked curry made by none other than mum and they know it. lol
October 31st, 2008 at 9:08 pm
awwww i cook every day for my husband i cook desi food and im white how horrible to hear this did you ever think we are still human ? didnt god create us to?:(
October 31st, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Just order an online indian takeaway next time
December 1st, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Online Indian Takeaway
http://www.currymehome.com/
December 16th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
knowing how to cook means you get to eat good food. simple as.
It’s a great skill to have whether you’re male of female.
December 21st, 2008 at 5:59 pm
If a woman cant cook yet can get pissed out on the town, somethings gone wrong with our culture.
Wanting to cook food for your man shows good signs of a good mother and loving wife. (guys look at your own mums)
Your man will respect you for this and protect and love you forever!
Men dont ask the women to do the following: wash the cars, maintain the cars, DIY, electric/gas problems, financial problems, assisting you when you are scared(when you have a car crash), garden.
Our culture doesnt have a high divorce rate due to these little things that have been put in place over hundredes of years.
If some ladies want to dump some of these core cultural beleifs and adopt a western way of marriage (high divorce rate) then dont moan when your man thinks you are a twat and leaves you. (the way to a mans heart is through his stomach)
Ladies, if you want your man to love you 4 eva - at least cook for him, else he can have an excuse when he decides to cheat on you.
Women moan too much nowadays, next they’ll be asking us to breast feed our kids!!!
July 17th, 2009 at 10:28 am
Good article:-
1. Cooking is basic life skill which every man & woman should know.
2. Saying things like “Cooking should only be done by women”, “cook or your man will leave you” is as racist\unhuman a thing to say as “a particular set of people should do all dirty jobs” or “if a particular set of people don’t do a dirty job they would be treated in unhuman manner” …
3. An intelligent man\woman do all that increases the quality of their life and all around.
4. Some of the greatest chefs in this world are man.
5. We do not need to follow a wrong system only becoz others are following it. A person who simply follows what others have laid out for him\her is not using his\her gift of intelligence\rational thinking.
7. If cooking is such a demeaning job why eat food and be part of such a demeaning process? If you don’t help in cooking, you don’t help in eating!!
8. This is from my husband who says … way to mans heart is through his stomach…. and so is womans… everybody loves a healthy hot meal at end of day!!
9. A man who cooks shows his true love for his wife!! I am proud of my husband!! (thanks for being in my life.)
July 17th, 2009 at 11:28 am
I agree with Emma. Cooking is a basic life skill everybody should know it in this era. I cook for myself here in Britain and sometimes when I go home in India. Seeing me cook my father has started helping my mom in the Kitchen… he finds it relaxing… my mom is happy as she gets to spend to quality time with dad and also has spare time to enjoy her hobbies… they both seem fulfilled and complete together now.
If my wife is working i would share 3/4 days cooking with her… if not i will definitely help her out with prep. in evenings… and cook a lovely sunday roast for her…. i love cooking!!