Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Do you cook often? (self.Blind)
submitted by casserole_cat
I cook a lot but I was thinking if other visually impaired people also cook a lot or at all. I’m legally blind and 16. Anyway I watch a YouTuber named Molly Burke and she is almost completely blind and she doesn’t cook at all. Like she just orders food all the time and has a food delivery service subscription or something. And I mean she has money so she can afford that but I’m guessing it gets pretty expensive. (I’m not hating I’m just saying that it’s a big luxury) Meaning that the majority of us can’t afford it.
So how do you get your food? Do you make it or someone else? Or do you order it? Or do you cook simple things?
I have been raised cooking a lot and it was just that cooking was just one of those things that you had to learn in my family. I would say a few of the more difficult things that I can cook all by myself is homemade lasagna, Cioppino, cheesecake, creme de mint brownies, and I can do two tier cakes. And I never thought much of it like I knew that I probably cook more than most kids my age but never thought about the vision aspect. I wash my hands good and I use lots of touch to cut things up and I also use my sight for other parts of it. And sometimes the only thing I need help with is finding a seasoning and sometimes putting it in and out of the oven. But other than that it’s all me.
My inspiration is Christine Ha (blind master chef champion of season 3) and I want to maybe go to a trade school for baking once I finish high school. So I was just wondering if most people here or some people here cook a lot or how do you get your food made?
So how do you get your food? Do you make it or someone else? Or do you order it? Or do you cook simple things?
I have been raised cooking a lot and it was just that cooking was just one of those things that you had to learn in my family. I would say a few of the more difficult things that I can cook all by myself is homemade lasagna, Cioppino, cheesecake, creme de mint brownies, and I can do two tier cakes. And I never thought much of it like I knew that I probably cook more than most kids my age but never thought about the vision aspect. I wash my hands good and I use lots of touch to cut things up and I also use my sight for other parts of it. And sometimes the only thing I need help with is finding a seasoning and sometimes putting it in and out of the oven. But other than that it’s all me.
My inspiration is Christine Ha (blind master chef champion of season 3) and I want to maybe go to a trade school for baking once I finish high school. So I was just wondering if most people here or some people here cook a lot or how do you get your food made?
impablomations 13 points 2y ago
I cook all the time. Mainly soups, stews, roasts. I sometimes have difficulty standing for too long because of other issues and might get a delivery but the majority of the time I cook from scratch.
I used to love cooking before my sight loss and while it's a bit more difficult now, I still love to cook.
I used to love cooking before my sight loss and while it's a bit more difficult now, I still love to cook.
Crafty_Dragon_roll 12 points 2y ago
I cook all the time. Also went to my community College for culinary arts for baking and pastry. There are quite a few blind chefs out there, not just Christine (who is great). I couldn't imagine just ordering out all the time. Seems pretty wasteful and unhealthy to me. I can make that choice because I am comfortable in a kitchen, but someone who isn't would make the choice to order in.
That being said, cooking is not for everyone. Had a friend catch her stove on fire trying to make Mac and cheese, she able bodied. And I can understand how some VI/LB/B people don't do it. Like I use a gas stove because electric top I can't feel the burners, but can on gas. But gas has open flame and is dangerous, especially for us when we can't see the fire. People have to eat and if they can't cook it's gotta come from somewhere.
I love making dough. Perfected my roll recipe, they're awesome! Making grilled pizza next week. I love it. I've known my whole life I was going to go blind, but it wasn't my vision that caused me to have quit that career. Chronic pain and joint issues did that for me.
I've switched more to culinary as my hands don't like squeezing a pastry bag anymore so baking and decorating take a lot of effort. But I don't hold back. I love food. Lasagne, polenta, yum. Yep I have some great Italian roots. Lol
Girl you can do it. You've got a nice bit of practice under your belt already. An associates at a community College only takes 2 years and at my school you can take summer classes as well to finish a little faster.
That being said, cooking is not for everyone. Had a friend catch her stove on fire trying to make Mac and cheese, she able bodied. And I can understand how some VI/LB/B people don't do it. Like I use a gas stove because electric top I can't feel the burners, but can on gas. But gas has open flame and is dangerous, especially for us when we can't see the fire. People have to eat and if they can't cook it's gotta come from somewhere.
I love making dough. Perfected my roll recipe, they're awesome! Making grilled pizza next week. I love it. I've known my whole life I was going to go blind, but it wasn't my vision that caused me to have quit that career. Chronic pain and joint issues did that for me.
I've switched more to culinary as my hands don't like squeezing a pastry bag anymore so baking and decorating take a lot of effort. But I don't hold back. I love food. Lasagne, polenta, yum. Yep I have some great Italian roots. Lol
Girl you can do it. You've got a nice bit of practice under your belt already. An associates at a community College only takes 2 years and at my school you can take summer classes as well to finish a little faster.
casserole_cat [OP] 6 points 2y ago
Thanks for the support! Also sorry if I came across rude in my post I didn’t mean it like that I just thought like most people aren’t ordering like Postmates every day for every meal. At least something more affordable or has someone come and make them food (maybe a loved one) and put them in Tupperware’s to warm up later or something. Just anything but something as expensive as Postmates or one of those apps. Or maybe even buying already made quality food to warm up later. Or a more affordable service.
Crafty_Dragon_roll 5 points 2y ago
I didn't think your post was rude at all! I agree with you. Ordering takeout 3 times a day is ridiculous in my opinion. To me its wasteful and unhealthy. There are plenty of options out there to be able to feed yourself without spending $30 a meal. Oatmeal or cereal for breakfast. Things like that.
Ant5477 1 points 2y ago
I would love to interview a blind cook on my show, would you be interested?
DrillInstructorJan 7 points 2y ago
I just did penne arrabiata for dinner, it was good. Needed a bit more garlic.
If I made as many cakes as I'd like to I would be very fat, so I don't. Cooking is great. It takes my mind off work.
If I made as many cakes as I'd like to I would be very fat, so I don't. Cooking is great. It takes my mind off work.
casserole_cat [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Lol I get you with the cake thing. My dads favorite cake that I make him is rasberry lemon with cream cheese frosting. I got the recipe off Google and it’s soooo good but it’s still a sugary cake. I’ve never made penne arrabiata before though!
1BlindNinja 7 points 2y ago
Hi, sometimes I order a take-away, but it is rare, as I cook and bake for myself. I’m a total, lost my sight at 22 years old, now 25 years ago. I can do roasts, and most of the normal run of the mill type cooking, bake pies, crumbles, biscuits, cookies, will be trying a carrot cake and a few other things
casserole_cat [OP] 5 points 2y ago
That’s sounds delicious! I’ve never made crumbles or carrot cake before!
1BlindNinja 1 points 2y ago
It is simple to do the crumbles, what you put in them is up to you. I did pear and a caramel liqueur one, but mostly apple and cinnamon. I can drop it here is you wish?I’m terrible though as I don’t stick to a recipe, I alter it, add in other things to improve the taste/texture. 😊
[deleted] 1 points 2y ago
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mdizak 6 points 2y ago
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I'm totally blind, and cook every night. I love to cook, and even moreso now that I'm blind. It's awesome to hang out in the kicthen with some good music, a drink in hand, and play around making a nice meal.
​
Tonight is spicy yellow crab curry with halibut and cocunut rice. :)
I'm totally blind, and cook every night. I love to cook, and even moreso now that I'm blind. It's awesome to hang out in the kicthen with some good music, a drink in hand, and play around making a nice meal.
​
Tonight is spicy yellow crab curry with halibut and cocunut rice. :)
wishiwasmegmccaffrey 6 points 2y ago
I cook and bake all the time and I love it! I have a rotation of meals that i know by heart or sometimes I just improvise! I read recipes too if I’m completely clueless! Otherwise, I don’t know if my cooking-methods are different from sighted peoples’. Not that I notice myself at least. One thing that I find hard is piping icing/frosting on cupcakes...
codeplaysleep 5 points 2y ago
I'm perfectly capable of cooking and I'm good at it. I just don't enjoy it for reasons that have noting to do with my vision loss. I typically cook 2 nights a week, we go out about once a week, and my husband usually cooks on the other nights. Sometimes our son cooks.
Last night, I fixed us steaks with sautéed mushrooms and onions, and steamed broccoli on the side. There are certain meals that are definitely things I cook, because I'm better at them.
Molly's got a lot of disposable income so she funnels some of it into the meal delivery service so she doesn't have to cook. If I had her income, that's not where I'd put the money, even though I dislike cooking, but everyone has different priorities.
Last night, I fixed us steaks with sautéed mushrooms and onions, and steamed broccoli on the side. There are certain meals that are definitely things I cook, because I'm better at them.
Molly's got a lot of disposable income so she funnels some of it into the meal delivery service so she doesn't have to cook. If I had her income, that's not where I'd put the money, even though I dislike cooking, but everyone has different priorities.
Individual2021 5 points 2y ago
I'm legally blind too and I'm still in the learning to cook. At the time of writing this I know how to cook macaromni with tuna and how to boil an egg haha.
casserole_cat [OP] 3 points 2y ago
Well that’s a good start. I can hardly boil a egg they just always seem to not turn out good.
Individual2021 3 points 2y ago
I don't know how long do you keep them in the water, but I usually keep them in the boiling water for around 3 minutes.
casserole_cat [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Thanks for the tip!
AnonSnowRaven 5 points 2y ago
Something I learned in culinary school was to boil the water them bring it down to a low simmer, pop your eggs into the water and put the lid on for 15 minutes and you have perfectly cooked hard boiled eggs. For soft boiled eggs, simmer the water and put the eggs in with a lid for 8 minutes.
1BlindNinja 2 points 2y ago
I bought an egg steamer, it holds 7 eggs in total, but is great. Either fill the measuring container full for hard boiled, or to the mark inside for soft. It buzzes when done. 😊
shiningeagle_ 4 points 2y ago
I cook a lot and like trying new recipes. I don’t really bake desserts but I’m good at everything else.
phillstaf 3 points 2y ago
I order takeout way to often and my budget hates me for it. I've been taught and retaught how to cook multiple times, but it has never really caught on. In the last 5 years I've had some dangerous missteps in cooking that really drove me away from cooking anything more than a can of soup or some rice once in a while.
Edit: this is less of an issue as I was raised on only doing 1 meal a day with snacking as needed for the rest of the day.
Edit 2: due to my fear of cooking and my anxiety towards my budget, I often skip a day or 2 here or there and only have a few snacks.
Edit: this is less of an issue as I was raised on only doing 1 meal a day with snacking as needed for the rest of the day.
Edit 2: due to my fear of cooking and my anxiety towards my budget, I often skip a day or 2 here or there and only have a few snacks.
Amonwilde 3 points 2y ago
I cook a lot and I'm past 20/800. I also have a hard time finding seasonings, and I'm probably 30% slower cutting stuff up by feel, but otherwise it's pretty straightforward. I time stuff on the skillet and use a meat thermometer (great purchase to get a talking one).
vip-sizzles 3 points 2y ago
When I had more usable vision, I experimented with some cooking. The best I did was making banana cakes & apple pies. My oven is more of a touch screen, so I haven't done much in recent years. My mom does most of the cooking, so I haven't felt the desire to do more experimenting. For the most part, I stay simple like salads, sandwiches & smoothies.
Winnmark 3 points 2y ago
I just finished making some shrooms & chicken. I'll make rice tomorrow.
Cooking was also something I just grew up learning. Going to college forced my hand too, though.
I, like you, use my sight & touch. But I also listen to the food, listen to it, it'll talk to you, you know.
As far as cooking/ordering, I'll do 80-20%, respectively.
Cooking was also something I just grew up learning. Going to college forced my hand too, though.
I, like you, use my sight & touch. But I also listen to the food, listen to it, it'll talk to you, you know.
As far as cooking/ordering, I'll do 80-20%, respectively.
OutWestTexas 3 points 2y ago
I cook for myself. I like to use the crockpot and toaster oven and stove top. I live alone so I don‘t cook big meals.
LarryWren 2 points 2y ago
I'm not blind, but my friend is. She has no sight at all, and cooks all the time! Her proprioception must be great, because watching her with a knife is wild – she's a lot faster and more precise with it than I am. Lots of salads, lasagne. Sometimes chicken, stir fry, or homemade bread.
are_you_exerienced 0 points 2y ago
My partner (37m) is newly blind and we’re living in a new place that he never saw with sight. He can really only use the microwave right now. I mostly cook for us. I would honestly hard block him using the stove without me present. Department of Blind Services is going to send a foreman grill that is supposedly easier for him to use
impablomations 8 points 2y ago
> I would honestly hard block him using the stove without me present.
You should let him learn. One of the things that really made me depressed when I was newly blind was the perception of losing my independence. With my partner only being around at weekends I had no choice but to relearn how to do things like cooking and I'm honestly glad I did.
An instant pot / slow cooker is very easy and safe to use while he gets used to things.
You could try cooking together while he learns the layout of the hob, controls, etc.
Also how food sounds while cooking, gentle simmerings sound vs hard boiling, how smell can help you gauge how things are cooking like onions as they are caramelising, using a skewer to test if veggies are cooked.
You should let him learn. One of the things that really made me depressed when I was newly blind was the perception of losing my independence. With my partner only being around at weekends I had no choice but to relearn how to do things like cooking and I'm honestly glad I did.
An instant pot / slow cooker is very easy and safe to use while he gets used to things.
You could try cooking together while he learns the layout of the hob, controls, etc.
Also how food sounds while cooking, gentle simmerings sound vs hard boiling, how smell can help you gauge how things are cooking like onions as they are caramelising, using a skewer to test if veggies are cooked.
are_you_exerienced 1 points 2y ago
We have no smoke detectors and unless I’m home and at least somewhat alert it’s not going to happen. He is not comfortable with it either. But like I said the DBS is sending us a small foreman grill that he should have an easier time with. We would like an instapot but certainly can’t afford one, can barely afford rent, bu maybe one day.
MamaAvalon 2 points 2y ago
That's likely illegal to have no smoke detectors, let alone in a place where a blind person lives. I would rectify that right away. Even if you're a renter, you can buy them on Amazon for $10 or $15. I would actually think the foreman grill would be one of the more dangerous ways for a blind person to cook. I got my "instantpot" on Amazon warehouse - the box was open but the item inside was new and it's an off brand so much cheaper. Works great! The 3qt instantpot is $35 right now if you get a scratch and dent.
are_you_exerienced 1 points 2y ago
I literally do not have rent money where would you like me to get $10 for smoke detectors and $35 for an instapot? It’s also illegal to have pests and not treat them, welcome to being Poor in the US.
casserole_cat [OP] 5 points 2y ago
Hey I read your other comments and while you maybe phrased it wrong the first time your message isn’t wrong. For the longest time I wasn’t allowed to use the oven or stove top of my dad wasn’t home and it makes sense because it can be dangerous. But now I’m very used to it so I can use it alone now. You are doing your best and even said that you are your partner feel the same way.
Sometimes my dad and I agree on things that then people love to judge. Like I don’t go many places alone but that’s not him that’s mostly me actually. I just think I rather have him there if I can instead of wandering around at a mall like I could figure it out but why not have him there? And then people think he’s being too over bearing. When He’s not.
Sometimes my dad and I agree on things that then people love to judge. Like I don’t go many places alone but that’s not him that’s mostly me actually. I just think I rather have him there if I can instead of wandering around at a mall like I could figure it out but why not have him there? And then people think he’s being too over bearing. When He’s not.
are_you_exerienced 3 points 2y ago
Thank you I appreciate it. I’m not blind so I obviously can’t understand what my partner is going through on that level, but I am disabled - currently in the process of filing for disability but it can take a long time - so i do understand what it means to be hampered by a disability and have people try to be overbearing, and I’m trying really hard to encourage him to be supportive. I’m sorry for getting in an argument on your post it wasn’t my intention. And yeah as for cooking the DBS has recommended a lot of equipment they say is easier to use, including the George Foreman grill and instapot, supposedly they help with cooking a lot.
casserole_cat [OP] 3 points 2y ago
No problem with the arguing. Sometimes it just happens, I argue all the time with people on Reddit.
napoleon88 1 points 2y ago
Honestly this set off some serious red flags for me! You sound on first reading like someone who is quite willing to deny your partners independence. That’s just how it came across, but, really? You would not permit your partner to attempt to cook without you present? That sounds highly controlling to me.
are_you_exerienced 3 points 2y ago
Sorry but we aren’t going to have this shitty house burn down when I’m not home lol. Maybe when its time to get evicted. He has no desire to attempt stove use when I’m not home either. The lack of understanding of poverty in this subreddit is alarming. I’ve been desperately trying to get him to learn how to use his phone and walk a tiny bit on his own for months, but thanks for telling me I’m controlling due to both my partner and I agreeing he should not be using the stove alone right now due to it being a fire hazard. I just talked DBS into sending us cooking equipment they don’t usually freely give to people so he can try cooking with that instead, I’m disabled myself and had a crying meltdown over struggling to take care of both us literally yesterday, but yeah I’m controlling because my newly blind partner and I don’t want him using the stove on fire. Honestly fuck off
napoleon88 0 points 2y ago
This has absolutely nothing to do with poverty! A rich person would be just as concerned as a poor one in terms of their house burning down, if that is really your concern. ultimately, your partner does have to learn to live an independent life! And if you come across to him the same way that you do when responding to this topic, then, it is really no wonder that he has absolutely no confidence, and no trust in his own abilities in this respect. There are so many ways the cooking can be made accessible, and not all of them require significant financial outlay! Speaking of significant financial outlay, I think smoke detectors are pretty cheap. Just saying!
are_you_exerienced 3 points 2y ago
Everything has to do with poverty and it’s pretty damn ignorant to say otherwise. The wiring in this shit hole isn’t correct, sum lords don’t fix anything, how anyone can be unaware that slums have more fire risks than a wealthy house is beyond me. Not to mention I can’t afford batteries for the smoke detector let alone a smoke detector we have no money and are on the verge of homelessness. When you don’t have enough for rent and food you’re not going to go out and buy fucking smoke detectors. I literally convinced dBS to send us special cooking equipment for him because of the cooking situation. Who knows if we will even to get to hold onto that equipment if we get evicted. On another topic, while I’m constantly pushing him to walk more on his own to get the hang of the cane so he’s less reliant on me when I’m often immobile, I also don’t really blame him for not wanting to walk newly blind around a neighborhood that has regular shootings. Like how ignorant does one Have to be to not understand how poverty affects these things?
are_you_exerienced 2 points 2y ago
I also wanna add on poverty and cooking, my grandma loved to cook when she was alive and had to do it solely with her stove and toaster oven for many years because she lived in a really slummy apartment building and an issue with mice in her oven. Like yeah poverty def affects ability to cook
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