Cooking at home doesn't mean you can't have a little fun. Treat yourself to some tasty snacks and drinks while you prepare your meals. These ideas will make your time in the kitchen more enjoyable and delicious.
AUTHOR: Chris Phelan
Table of Contents
- 1. Brownie Batter Licks
- 2. Sneaking Pulled Pork
- 3. First Slice of Smoked Brisket
- 4. Spoonfuls of Frosting
- 5. Lasagna Genius
- 6. Mozzarella Madness
- 7. Holiday Roast Deliciousness
- 8. Cookie Dough Glory
- 9. A Simple Bite
- 10. Dibs on the Best Pancake
- 10 Best Tasting Fish In The World
- 38 Best Mexican Recipes for a Flavorful Fiesta
- 15 Cheesy Dad Jokes That Will Make You Laugh
1. Brownie Batter Licks
I can't be the only one who treats themselves to the brownie batter once everything is cooking in the oven, am I? I usually take it one step further and graciously "help" whoever is in charge of making the brownies so that I can be in a better position to sneak a few licks of excellent brownie batter. It's a tradition as old as time, and I don't see myself changing anytime soon!
2. Sneaking Pulled Pork
Slow-cooked pulled pork is a specialty of mine (actually, my girlfriend believes it's my single culinary specialty). Over the years, I've mastered the art of cooking pulled pork, armed with a high-end Crock Pot and a proprietary blend of spices. In return for delivering fantastic restaurant-quality pork to my loved ones, I reward myself with the first few pieces of perfectly tender deliciousness. There's nothing like gently tearing pork off the bone and inserting it directly into my mouth.
3. First Slice of Smoked Brisket
Like pulled pork, treating yourself to the first slice of smoked brisket is one of the true joys in the life of a home chef. There's something about the process of cooking meat that makes many of us demand satisfaction every step of the way. "I always eat the first corner slice of a smoked brisket," confesses one man. "I love that mainly bark bite. Hey, if I'm putting 14 hours into cooking it, I should at least get the first piece." I see no holes in this logic!
4. Spoonfuls of Frosting
Countless people love baking cakes for special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries, but not necessarily for the reason you'd think. While preparing a delicious treat for others is always admirable, baking a cake means the baker has the enviable responsibility to ensure no frosting is left behind! That's right; even the most experienced baker will leave behind a few dollops of frosting for themselves to enjoy instead of layering on top of cakes or cupcakes. Can you blame them?
5. Lasagna Genius
If you thought you couldn't take a "cooking tax" when making classic Italian dishes, you're wrong. One woman puts it all into perspective. "When making lasagna, I boil an extra noodle and use it to clean the pot in which the sauce was cooked." This strategy is a genius, next-level cooking hack that gives the chef a delicious treat and makes cleaning easier! (On an unrelated note, I bet this woman makes fantastic lasagna.)
6. Mozzarella Madness
There's something about cheese that makes men and women lose discipline in the kitchen! Many confess that if fresh mozzarella is used in any dishes they're preparing, they eat just as much cheese as they put on the plate, with most chefs targeting a hilarious one-to-one ratio. I am banned from making Caprese salads at home because my girlfriend knows I will generously reward myself with as many slices of mozzarella as humanly possible!
7. Holiday Roast Deliciousness
Family traditions that include "cooking taxes" are wholesome ways to treat yourself. That being said, Is there anything better than salty meat drippings during the holidays? "When I was a kid, my mom taught me to take a bit of bread or dinner roll and run it around in the salty meat drippings at the bottom of the roasting pan at Christmas," recalls one woman. "It was like my payment for helping her to clean up after the meal. It's still my favorite part of holiday meals." I hope she passes on this tradition to her children one day!
8. Cookie Dough Glory
In 2023, helping yourself to generous portions of cookie dough is still the ultimate "cooking tax," regardless of age, gender, or creed. In my eyes, there's nothing more American than rewarding yourself with a few enormous globs of cookie dough after you've expertly placed the pan of raw cookies in the oven. I'm now realizing how much a "cooking tax" is involved with baking! No wonder so many bakers seem happy all the time!
9. A Simple Bite
We'd all agree with a national law that states whoever makes the sandwich gets the first bite, right? Who would be against this policy? One woman offers her take: "When my kids were teenagers (and more than capable of making their own sandwich) and would ask me to make their sandwich because I 'made it better,' I would take payment in the form of a bite taken out of their sandwich," says one savvy mom. I don't blame her; if her kids are going to put her to work, she deserves all the bites she wants!
10. Dibs on the Best Pancake
Making pancakes for breakfast on a griddle doesn't make sense to me. The first round of pancakes never cooks evenly, and it seems the last few pancakes are award-winning. One person takes this concept one step further by confessing she always claims the final batch of pancakes for herself, family be damned! I admire the hustle; whoever is in charge of breakfast deserves the best of the best.
Source: Reddit.
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