skip to main content

'I hate to cook': an obituary

18 years ago

The wonderful Peg Bracken passed away last week. Now, we like to all think that we love to cook, but we still appreciate the tongue in cheek reality of her landmark book. Culinary, perhaps not, but it was at the vanguard of the movement to free women from traditional roles in the home. Which we all know is what allows us to admit that we really DO like to cook, just on our own terms!

The funeral luncheon will include a green bean casserole with mushroom soup and topped with canned onion rings.

RIP Peg.

Here is a link that might be useful: Peg Bracken

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

mimsic
18 years ago
She was sassy, funny and ahead out (of step with?) her time. We should all read her books and learn to laugh at ourselves.
caflowerluver
18 years ago
Funny what she wrote in 1960 could still apply today in 2007.
"We live in a cooking-happy age," she wrote in "I Hate to Cook Book." "You watch your friends redoing their kitchens and hoarding their pennies for glamorous cooking equipment and new cookbooks called 'Eggplant Comes to the Party' or 'Let's Waltz Into the Kitchen,' and presently you begin to feel un-American."

I would love to read all her books again today. They were so scandalous back then but today I would get a good laugh and probably agree with a lot of what she said.
Clare
Related Discussions
Best Obituary ever!
Q
Comments (6)
Sent it to my DH : ) Wish I could have been a fly on the wall in one of his classes. His sartorial sense is truly sui generis. He sounds like he must have had Oregonian blood in his past somewhere : ) Rest in peace, Harry. We may never see your like again.
...See More
In the obituaries today
Q
Comments (20)
I learn something every day. Today I googled suicide blond. My guess was that it was blond hair with red streaks since we were talking about a red head and the word suicide. Ah, no, suicide blond is just that fried white hair from a bottle, said google. Seen quite a few of those! Still maintaining my cosmotology certificate for 31 years, I had never heard that. Thanks Patti, I enjoyed this post since it reminds me of so many red heads, quite a few older ladies, that I have loved.
...See More
I always said I hate Old Bay, but....
Q
Comments (20)
We "steam" our Chesapeake Bay blue crabs vs "boiling" using big pots with inserts in the bottom to prevent the crabs from touching the water. I do a "boil" every Christmas that I learned from a Portuguese lady I worked with like you described. Adding the sausage is delicious. "Time Bandit" is from the "Deadliest Catch" series on the Discovery Channel. I love that show - now even their catch is famous! Thanks for sharing.
...See More
The results of pie crust 101, or why I hate Thanksgiving
Q
Comments (34)
It's the morning after, and I am thankful for all you good people who took the time to post and get me through a bad moment. I learned from your posts, and I laughed with your posts. Most importantly, I found out that even on a cooking forum, not everyone makes the perfect, flaky, homemade pie crust. Thank you for telling me that I am not alone. I am through with pies and pie crusts. This year will have been the 20th year of trying, and it was the worst yet. It is time to move on. I am a market gardener, and I grow wonderful organic strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and rhubarb. When I bake with the fruit, I do a crisp, a cobbler, or a tart. DS has a love of pumpkin pie, and I think my efforts are emotionally entwined with being the "good mother", but I am going to find a good bakery next year. You are all right- there is more than one way to skin a cat (that is a horrible saying isn't it?) I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. You all helped make mine a good one. :)
...See More
sally2_gw
18 years ago
I had totally forgotten about hre, but I do remember seeing the book in the house. I'm sure my mother was a devoted disciple.

Sally
bunnyman
18 years ago
I just had to lift a quote from that article,

"let it cook five minutes while you light a cigarette and stare sullenly at the sink".

My kind of girl! Now I'm going to have to read her books. Maybe I'll even bum a smoke from someone and give the nicotine and sink stare a try. Ya know... with a beer that would be a great way to cook a burger. I can almost taste the pbr and Lucky Strike combo.

: )
lyra
msazadi
18 years ago
lyra, you ARE wicked. ;-)

Thanks for noting this, fg. You know her "I hat to cookies" are a darn good recipe. My eldest son used to make them when he was about 10.

I bet Peg and Mrs. Lou (Ginny) are having a gabfest as we write. Maureen
linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)
18 years ago
THanks for the link. My mother had all her books. She was quite a good cook, but not averse to a shortcut. I remember her laughing out loud while reading one of these, at the kitchen table over a cup of coffee and a cigarette.

Related Stories

LIFE You Said It: ‘The Wrong Sink Can Make You Hate Your Kitchen’

By Becky Harris

Design advice, inspiration and observations that struck a chord this week

KITCHEN DESIGN A Cook’s 6 Tips for Buying Kitchen Appliances

By Christine Tusher

An avid home chef answers tricky questions about choosing the right oven, stovetop, vent hood and more

KITCHEN DESIGN 8 Kitchen Organizing Ideas for Messy Cooks

By Lisa Frederick

Not the clean-as-you-go type? Not to worry. These strategies will help keep your kitchen looking tidy no matter what your cooking style is

KITCHEN DESIGN Houzz Call: What’s Cooking in Your Kitchen?

By Stacy Briscoe

Most of us turn to recipes, videos and culinary shows when we cook. Where do you set your cookbook, tablet or TV screen?

KITCHEN DESIGN Cooking With Color: When to Use White in the Kitchen

By Jennifer Ott Design

Make sure your snowy walls, cabinets and counters don't feel cold while you're riding white's popularity peak

COTTAGE STYLE Cute, Cook-Friendly Cottage Kitchens

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Before you lament the limitations of a cottage kitchen, have a look at the possibilities

MOST POPULAR 6 Kitchen Flooring Materials to Boost Your Cooking Comfort

By Jennifer Ott Design

Give your joints a break while you're standing at the stove, with these resilient and beautiful materials for kitchen floors

LIFE Inviting Kids Into the Kitchen: Suggestions for Nurturing Cooks

By Alison Hodgson

Imagine a day when your child whips up dinner instead of complaining about it. You can make it happen with this wisdom

BLACK Cooking With Color: When to Use Black in the Kitchen

By Jennifer Ott Design

Consider sampling Caviar or Cracked Pepper on your kitchen walls or cabinets for richness and impact

KITCHEN DESIGN Not a Big Cook? These Fun Kitchen Ideas Are for You

By Laura Gaskill

Would you rather sip wine and read than cook every night? Consider these kitchen amenities

Sponsored

Urban Upkeep LLC

6 Reviews

Columbus High Quality Painting Expert

More Discussions

Big cook-a-thon today

8

Using/Storing Extra Pumpkin Puree

8

But where's dinner? ... ... ...

7

Need help with apricotty non-jam

1

What's cooking -- or not?

36