Expectations For Cooking
Not everyone is born to be a good cook, and no woman expects a man to know his way around an entire cookbook, especially if she doesn't herself. However, there are a few foods out there that come with higher expectations, whether it's because of personal wishes or stereotypes society has fed us. Here are 20 foods that women expect men to know how to prepare. And if you don't know how, it's time to head to the kitchen to learn so you can surprise her!
1. Steak
If there's one food that women expect men to be able to cook well, it's got to be steak. After all, it's a stereotype that men love protein, meat, and cooking on the grill. It's more than just being able to serve it cooked though; it's getting the seasoning right, perfecting the sear, and knowing how to nail specific temperatures.
2. Scrambled Eggs
Yes, scrambled eggs are a basic breakfast dish, but that's exactly why not knowing how to prepare them can be a little embarrassing. And when all it takes are a handful of eggs, some butter, and some seasonings, it's pretty fair that women would think most men to be able to cook this.
3. Burgers
Burgers and grills go hand in hand with one another, which is why most women assume men are able to produce a pretty decent burger.
And as long as you're able to keep it from burning, you'll get a passing grade. But for men who really want to impress, you have to be able to keep the inside juicy, and every bite perfectly seasoned.
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4. Pasta
Is there a dish as romantic as pasta? You don't have to make it completely from scratch, but being able to whip up a delicious bowl of spaghetti, fettucine alfredo, or carbonara would certainly make any woman light up with joy on date night. Maybe it's just a personal desire, but many certainly want their man to be able to cook them something homey like this.
5. Bacon
If it's a kind of meat or protein, it's pretty safe to say a lot of women don't even think twice about their man being able to prepare it. And when it comes to something as "manly" as bacon, they're definitely expecting it to come out perfectly crispy.
6. Grilled Chicken
With the sheer number of gym bros praising the macros on chicken, it shouldn't be surprising that most women expect men to be able to grill chicken with expert skills. This can be quite difficult though, especially since chicken can turn dry very quickly. But hey, if so many men are claiming to eat it on the daily, they must've gained some skill, right?
7. Pancakes
As far as breakfast meals go, a lot of women fantasize waking up to the cozy smell of pancakes freshly made for them. And the idea of a man being able to effortlessly flip them in the pan only adds to the appeal. Honestly, there somehow is a manly quality in being able to perfect the art of making flapjacks.
8. Grilled Cheese
When all you need are two slices of bread, cheese, and some butter, it's not unreasonable that women might expect men to be able to prepare a delicious grilled cheese. It's also one of those meals many people learn to make when they're young because it's that simple, so it tends to fall in the category of "everyone can make this".
9. Tacos
Tacos aren't exactly a difficult meal to whip up, especially when there are grocery store kits and every ingredient can be customized to your liking. For men who are comfortable cooking meat, women might automatically assume they're good enough to use that skill to create some decent taco fillings too.
10. Omelets
If a man claims to be good at breakfast, women likely presume that they're able to cook up a tasty omelet at the very least. After all, omelets tend to have a reputation for being a more impressive version of scrambled eggs!
And if you're claiming to know the basics, you should be able to take things up a notch.
11. Barbecue Ribs
Men take their barbecued meats extremely seriously, so it only makes sense to expect that they know how to cook them themselves. As far as ribs go, it's all about getting the meat tender, balancing the seasoning, and making sure it's coated in enough sauce. It's kind of amazing the amount of patience and dedication men put into getting ribs right!
12. Roast Chicken
Grilling chicken is one thing, but roasting a whole chicken? That's another story. Whether it's for a family gathering or a holiday feast, women find it especially attractive when men claim they know how cook meat, and then they actually get the job done. It carries a certain competence factor that definitely reads like a green flag.
13. French Toast
Given that French toast is associated with the idea of making something nice and special for a partner, women might expect men to know how to prepare it, if not for selfish reasons. It is fair though, given that French toast is one of the tastiest, most romantic breakfast foods to wake up to.
14. Mashed Potatoes
As a side that appears at pretty much every holiday dinner, mashed potatoes just seems like a universal cooking skill that every person learns.
And when it comes with such a big arm workout, some women might want their partner to be able to play tag team until the consistency is just right.
15. Chili
As a dish associated with casual home cooking, game days, camping, and meal prep, it simply doesn't sound right if a man who loves hearty food or outdoor cooking doesn't know how to prepare it. In fact, some women might think they already have their own recipe ready to go when the colder seasons hit!
16. Baked Potatoes
Simple yet tasty, it doesn't take a whole lot of effort or time to whip up a tasty baked potato. And with toppings like sour cream, cheese, bacon, and green onions, it seems like the perfect manly dish. If anything, women expect men to know how to make this one just because there's not much you have to do!
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17. Chicken Wings
Chicken wings are a favorite for game nights, which leads to the assumption that men know how to make them to their liking so they can enjoy them with their favorite sport. Half of the process is cooking the chicken well, which is already a stereotype for men, but the other half is getting the seasoning and sauce right.
18. Salmon
Salmon counts as protein even if it's not meat, and that alone convinces many women that men should be able to nail it. It's easier said than done though, given that overcooking this fish immediately turns it into something less than enjoyable to eat.
19. Mac And Cheese
With mac and cheese being one of the most comforting foods in America, a lot of women secretly want their man to be able to prepare it. They almost treat it as an ability to care and reassure, especially if they're the type of girl to see food as a way to soothe the soul.
20. Breakfast Potatoes
Breakfast potatoes often show up alongside other foods men are already stereotypically expected to cook, like eggs, bacon, and sausage. Let's just say, women assume that if a man takes pride in making a big, complete breakfast, potatoes are part of the package.
