Chef or Cook

Which do you consider yourself? I know by definition a chef is someone that cooks professionally, but I think there are alot of people that create incredible dishes at home that qualify to be called "chefs", no? To me, a chef is someone that creates dishes and meals (versus just following a recipe) and someone that knows and understands how flavors and ingredients blend and compliment each other. I also think knife skills help to further the chef title as well for some reason. What else do you think makes an amateur chef?

Myself, I'm definitely a cook because I HAVE to follow a recipe and I have little to no knife skills. But my Love, he has definitely become a chef that can create something incredible completely on his own. Take for example the amazing bean dish shown below that he came up with that we've been enjoying this week for lunches. He's got some serious knife skills too and I love seeing him work and create in the kitchen! Are any of your men the "top chefs/cooks" of your home or just love to cook? It's super hot, isn't it? :)


The dish was even better with some cornbread I made using a recipe OF COURSE :). It's from Veganomicon but I tweaked it just a bit. Although I think I've had better, it's really good and even more delicious with some coconut oil drizzled on it!

Vegan Corn Bread

(2) Cups - Almond Milk
(2) tsp - Apple Cider Vinegar
(2) Cups - Cornmeal
(1) Cup - Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
(1/4) Cup - Sucanat or Raw Sugar
(2) tsp - Baking Powder
(1/2) tsp - Salt
(1/3) Cup - Coconut Oil

Preheat oven to 350 F. I used a 9 x 13 inch glass baking pan but you could also bake it in a cast iron skillet too. Lightly grease the bottom and sides of the pan.

Combine the almond milk and apple cider vinegar and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, sift together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Create a well in the center and add the almond milk/vinegar mixture. Mix together until just combined (some lumps are ok). Pour the batter into the pan and bake for about 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

OH and I really think there should be a "Top Chef Amateurs" added to the Bravo lineup...wouldn't that be cool? I'd sign my Love up in a hearbeat. Well, have a great weekend.