There were many reasons that Ella liked cooking. Creating a delicious meal out of ordinary ingredients was not only gratifying and fulfilling but also strangely sensual. But more than that, she enjoyed cooking because it was something she was really good at. Besides, it quieted her mind. The kitchen was the one place in her life where she could avoid the outside world altogether and stop the flow of time within herself. For some people sex might have the same effect, she imagined, but that always required two, whereas to cook, all one needed was time, care and a bag of groceries.
People who cooked on TV programs made it sound as if cooking was about inspiration, originality and creativity. Their favourite word was "experimenting". Ella disagreed. Why not leave experimenting to scientists and quirkiness to artists! Cooking was about learning the basics, following the instructions and being respectful of the wisdom of ages. All you had to do was use time-honoured traditions, not experiment with them. Cooking skills came from customs and conventions, and although it was clear that the modern age belittled such things, there was nothing wrong in being traditional in the kitchen.
From The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak.
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