Check out my progress on What Kind of Cook Are You?
Today as I settled into my “Principles of Food” class, the professor immediately demanded that we all take out a piece of paper. “We are going to take a quiz.”
Crap.
As it turns out, this quiz was no examination of nutritional knowledge but rather a tool to determine our respective cooking personalities. The professor simply described the five different types of cooks and asked that each student list which the three that best described her. Here’s a quick synopsis of each type: (as described by this NYT article)
Giving—enthusiastic about cooking and specializes in comfort food. (Example: Nigella Lawson)
Methodical—relies heavily on recipes and cooking is strongly influenced by the cookbook used. (Example: Alton Brown)
Competitive—thinks less about health and more about making the most impressive dish possible. (Example: Iron Chefs)
Healthy—often serves fish and uses fresh ingredients, but taste isn’t the primary goal. (Example: Molly Katzen)
Innovative—likes to experiment with different ingredients cooking methods, and cuisines, a process that often leads to more healthful cooking. (Example: Ellie Krieger)
So with which kind of cook do you most identify? You can take the quiz here. I think I’m a mix of innovative and healthy because health is obviously a primary goal in my recipes, but it’s certainly not the only one; I love nothing more than discovering new ingredients and figuring out ways to use them! As Type A as I may be, I am not methodical in the kitchen—I’m a self-proclaimed recipe rebel 
Here’s what healthful innovations I whipped up today:
Pumpkin-banana-coconut is one glorious smoothie combination, my friends. The only thing that can make it better? Yogi granola crisps. (Speaking of granola, have you entered my Galaxy Granola Giveaway yet??)
For lunch, I was delighted to pack a Lentil Loaf sandwich, made from Monday’s leftovers. The deliciousness of the sandwich was made all the better by the beautiful sunshine in which I consumed it.
Once home from a long day of class, I made another sandwich-and-salad meal. Several months ago, Clean Eating’s (Jan/Feb issue) Apple Grilled Cheese with Grainy Mustard piqued my interest. I finally got around to trying it this evening, and I’ think I love it. I can’t wait to experiment with different kinds of cheeses, apples, and mustards. Oh, the possibilities! As for the salad, I used Annie’s Gingerly vinaigrette, which was a little more gingery than I had expected—next time I’ll add a little sweet action.
Alright, I have some homeworking to do before the weekend (woohoo!). G’night.
Filed under: Meals
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
I think I’m a giving cook. I adore Nigella and I love baking and feeding others!!
oh i think i’m definitely healthy.. and wanna be innovative ha
great quiz though, i think ill take it!
I am definitely innovative. What do you think?
I am definitely the innovative, I make healthy and tasty foods and love to experiment with new healthy ingredients!
That apple grilled cheese sandwich sounds delicious. Good thing fall is coming, lots of varieties of apples for you to try!
(although I don’t quite see colder months as being “that” good, I love summer!!)
Ana
Well, I took the test and ends up I am a Healthy cook!! I am happy with that! Although I think I am a mix of healthy and innovative as I really like to experiment with new and different healthy ingredients (always healthy, that’s for sure!)
Ana
I tested Healthy but I think I have a little Giving in me too. I love comfort foods and I think sometimes these two sides of me end up in conflict…
ps I LOVE your lunchbag! Where did you find it??
I just found your blog and love it! I am definitely a mix of healthy and innovative. I love to experiment and hardly ever follow recipes but considering weight loss is my primary goal what ever I make has to be healthy.
I’m guessing I’m innovative? I’ll take the quiz and let you know.
Okay, 3 way tie between Giving, Healthful and Innovative. Aww…that’s the beauty of Mama Pea
I used to be a healthy cook, but that’s become second nature to me because I genuinely LOVE those healthy ingredients, and I’m almost never thinking about their nutritional qualities when I cook. I think I’m an innovative cook!
How fun! I guess I am all but methodical or competitive.
very interesting test! I think when I cook for myself, I’m more healthy and innovative. but when I cook for others I’m giving and innovative and sometimes follow the recipe to get the end product that I want (like bread)
Definitely a mix of healthy and innovative! I think healthy cooks usually ARE innovative, because we can’t simply rely on fat and sugar for flavor.
i’m totally the healthy cook. i can’t even deny it. i love love love my fish & taste is a priority but i stick to the flavors i know i love! i use lots of fresh veg & i think i should move to greece with the amount of fish i eat hahaha
honestly, i think i am a mix of all of them! i don’t think i identify with any one in particular.
that smoothie looks amazing, no words on that sandwich, and why couldn’t my college career involve more pop quizzes like this one?!?!
I think I’m a mix… Health is always my #1 priority, but I want it to taste good too!
What a fun quiz! I think I’m a mix of innovative and giving
Love the looks of that pumpkin smoothie! It’s starting to feel a bit like Fall…
that sounds like a fun quiz! ha, i am a nerd like that. i think i am healthy & innovative, like you. the carrots look delicious.
have a lovely weekend!
I’m just away to take the quiz now! I’m excited!xx
definitely going to take the quiz. i like to experiment in the kitchen, but i don’t think i’m as creative as a lot of bloggers. i try, though!
Thanks for the quiz link! I looked it over and we are around the same cooking style – I make healthy foods but won’t sacrifice taste! Taste and health are primary goals – the key is finding healthy foods that we LOVE LOVE love to eat. I didn’t see any “lazy” option on the quiz though – I often resort to this too, like I’ve seen you write about your cooking a couple of times before, but I guess when you know how to make something really quick from preparing something like it so many times before, maybe a better word is “experienced” rather than lazy. Yes, I think that describes you too. Because you know how to make sauces, hummus, smoothie/shakes, tofu dishes, on a whim, right off the top of your head, which is not “lazy” compared to someone who choose to make a microwave meal instead or just hit up the McD’s drive-thru.
Well, I took the quiz, and it gave me both Giving and Innovative. I would argue though that I may also have a touch of Competitive in there, and a bunch of Healthy as well.