By David Tamarkin, Epicurious
Five-thousand Epicurious readers can't be wrong. Except maybe on that peanut butter thing.
A few weeks ago, Epicurious reached out to you, our readers, in an effort to get to know you better. We had questions, but they weren't about your job or your kids (not that we don't care about that stuff--how are the kids, by the way?). They were about your kitchen, your grocery store, your pantry. In short, your cooking life--the only life worth talking about.
About 5,000 of you responded. That's how we learned that 40% of you are self-reported "baking geniuses"--an encouraging sign of confidence-- and that a slim majority of you prefer creamy to crunchy peanut butter--something I consider a serious call for help.
INFOGRAPHIC BY JUNE KIM
The 60% of you that aren't geniuses? I think you're being modest. You're certainly getting enough practice: Almost all of you are cooking five or more days a week, and 42% are cooking every single day. According to your answers, most of this cooking is being done for a group of friends or family. Is it too soon to start angling for an invitation?
Before you answer that, know that I really will show up. Because while I can't be sure what you'd prepare for me, I know it won't be too spicy--90% of you like things about as hot as sriracha or milder. And I know that if you make a salad, it's likely to be organic (63% think organics are worth the money). Half of you will use pre-washed, packaged greens, while the other half will buy a head of lettuce and prep it yourselves. I have strong opinions on this issue--but as your guest I'll shut up and eat. (If you give me any of that creamy peanut butter, though, I might have to speak up.)
INFOGRAPHIC BY JUNE KIM
Not everything you reported is surprising. You mostly cook at night, for dinner, though 34% are regularly making brunch. (Your Bloody Marys are, I presume, on the mild side.) One surprise: 63% of you baking geniuses are only eating dessert one, two or--seriously?--zero times a week. Which means you're either a bunch of liars (a dessert after lunch is still dessert!) or you have a lot of extra baked goods lying around (I know an editor in New York who can take them off your hands).
Are you sure you're not sneaking a cookie into the bathroom? Think hard about this. 15% of you admit to eating there, and, call me crazy, but I assume you're not bending over the sink with a plate of chateaubriand. A slim portion (3%) of you guys may have even taken that cookie into the shower, which has kept me up for weeks now. How in the world do you keep your cookies dry?
Actually, maybe don't answer that. Wait until next year, after we get to know each other a little bit more.