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My[30F] longterm [9 years] boyfriend [37] who works long hours doesn't like my cooking, how do I dea (by Sparky)

 Sparky (0)  (30 / M-F / Massachusetts)
24-Jun-25 7:20 pm
My[30F] longterm [9 years] boyfriend [37] who works long hours doesn't like my cooking, how do I deal with this?

Because he works pretty much 6 to 7 days a week, late hours, and I either work regular or parttime hours plus studies, I naturally took up household chores. The problem is, being raised kindof 'typically' Dutch (two working parents etc) I prefer - and am only capable of - 'quick, easy, nutritious' cooking. I also do not enjoy cooking, except maybe cutting vegetables and frying garlic. As a huge contrast, my Turkish-born bf was raised pretty traditionally by a father who provided all income and a 100% stay-at-home mom who hadn't been encouraged even to learn how to read (I am not condemning this; just to illustrate her devotion to the household). So not only was he raised on culturally superior food (i feel like I am allowed to state this as fact haha) but also on cooking that took considerable time, effort and love.
For years and years, out of genuine interest and as a way of bonding, I tried to learn how to cook traditional Turkish dishes. But except for a few dishes such as stews and soups, where I could set a timer for most of the cooking haha, i just sucked at it. He would never outright say it was bad, but he loves food and would just leave everything. So unless I literally spend half of the day on cooking, with the kindof mental effort I usually reserve for studies, my cooking was bleh and most of it I would have to throw out.
Eventually, after some private tantrums, sweaty and confused after hours in the kitchen, I just switched back to my usual cooking. Which I prefer actually; simple steak-potatoes- vegetables, or fish and a simple salad. (I am no foodie) But my bf won't touch this at all, so I keep leftovers for myself. It saved me so so so much stress, i sometimes actually cried over food, but now I feel like i am not doing my part in the relationship, or as if i am inadequate, even though at the same time I genuinely prefer simple meals. I also feel like its better for me healthwise, but thats probably-absolutely because I cook Turkish meals wrong. My bf usually doesnt complain, but sometimes his frustration shows. For example he'll insist on grocery stopping together and then buying carts full of Turkish ingredi?nts that I just am not capable of preparing properly. Or suddenly lashing out because 'there's nothing to eat in this house' or 'i always have to eat sh*t from delivery i cannot take it anymore'. He distrusts meats from the grocery store, which i do understand actually.
By the way he himself is an excellent cook, he even owned a diner once. Its terribly frustrating because he can put together an elaborate meal with minimal effort and its actually really good. If he comes home late hungry at 2AM and i watch him eat some Olives and bread with cheese with that sad face I just feel like I am starving him!
TL;DR: My bf from a very different background doesn't like my 'simple' cooking but works too hard/too much to cook himself, and I don't know what to do about it.


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