The Magical Sounds of Cooking that Make Us Salivate

I believe the popularity of open spaces that join the kitchen to other living areas is not only due to the smells of cooking and the conversation to be had between all, but also due to the magical sounds of cooking. We often think and talk of the smells of cooking but tend to overlook the sounds.

The preparation sounds start us wondering, "What are we going to have?". The roller sound of drawers opening and closing, the tap of wood meeting wood as pantry doors close (and for some the magnetic click of child safety locks as doors open) and the tinkling and clanging of glass and metal utensils are too general and don't give it away. Neither does the rubbery suction sound of the refrigerator door opening and closing or the ripping sound of cardboard boxes and paper packets being opened. Wait! It's the plastic against plastic vacuum release sound; it's the tub of spread! Oh! But that's no help either.

As the litany continues with running rinse water, the splat of water in the sink from a shake to drain something, chopping, slicing and greens brushing against greens as they are gingerly tossed, we have our first answer! It's salad! That starts the imagination flowing. What dressing will be selected? Will I get to steal a crouton before it is ready? Maybe even a cucumber slice. I know, a cherry tomato!

Of course the smells will eventually give answer to what some sounds will only hint at, but that comes later. What's that? Ah! Something is starting to sizzle. That narrows it down but nothing is for sure yet. Now! It's the oven door. Bread, perhaps? Or it could be pie or cake. The excitement is building. Next is the twisting, grinding sound as pepper is added to the sizzler. Then the burst of extra sizzle as it is turned over. I hope it's steak.

The steady fan blowing and turntable whirring sound of the microwave has been an ever present background to the other sporadic sounds. But it is interrupted by the ding! And we salivate as if we are in a modern day Pavlov experiment. Now we hear a hissing and a series of ow, hot, hot and ouch from the cook. Aha! The spread is for baked potatoes. The prospect of steak is looking brighter! The sizzle has stopped and then there is the clank of plates and bowls. The cook is plating it up!

There goes the oven door again and it's springy bouncing sound as it settles open. Of course we have known for a while that it is bread and apple pie from the smell, but now we know one or both is ready. The crust piercing sound of the bread knife gives it away. The anticipation is unbearable. And finally the pop as pressure is released and the cascading sound of wine flowing from bottle to glass. Dinner is served!

So next meal time don't forget the sounds. Listen and enjoy! And remember the non-cooking sounds too, like the brief screech of chair legs on floor as you push back from a satisfying meal.

Oh! One last thing. I am sure I have forgotten some sweet cooking sounds. Please send me a message listing your favorite cooking sounds and if I get enough responses I'll combine them into an article and publish the results.