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“The big problem is that today few people know how to cook from scratch.”

That says it all right there. My parents were pre baby boomers and remembered the tail end of the depression and WWII rationing. They were great cooks and we ate like kings growing up.

After I got out of the Army and became a college student I realized I had no clue how to cook. Luckily my parents were still alive to get me started. Soon I was well known by my friends and roommates as being a good cook.

Years later as a gift my Wife bought a course of cooking classes taught by a local chef. Now my in-laws can't wait till they get another dinner invite.

It doesn't take expensive things to prepare really good food. Flour, pasta, masa, beans, rice, milk, cheese, eggs, butter, whole chicken or thighs, hot dogs, ground beef, ground pork, frozen vegetables, potatoes, various types of canned tomatoes, canned fruit, onions, garlic, seasonings.

With that list I can make pastas, rice dishes, pizza, tacos, chile con carne, cheese sauces, au-gratin potatoes or vegetables, asian stir fries, soups, bread, fruit pies and more.

Once a person learns very basic techniques and base sauces the sky is the limit to what they can make. IMHO, that course I took on essential basics in cooking should be MANDATORY in High School for everyone.

I agree. Cooking (home ec in general) should be mandatory in schools as it once was. Along with other life skills like balancing a check book. Or basic mechanics like being able to check oil, transmission fluid, etc.

I am considered to be a good cook and my dearly departed had many dishes that were his specialties. For the life of me, I have never been able to replicate his spaghetti sauce.lol

We seldom ate out. We had a huge garden and bought meat in bulk so it was cheaper and far better meals to eat at home!