Yea--I grew up in the "if you want something to eat learn
how to cook Dude". Plus, my girlfriends we so terrible(I think they were rebelling, or though it was cute?)
at cooking. One of the first things I learned how to
make was bread, but it always came out terrible, except pizza dough. I have perfected rice with a steamer though.
Rice is cheap if you are strapped.