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My roommate used $20 of my avocado oil to cook a single chicken breast

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BRAdmin
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My roommate recently used $20 worth of my avocado oil to cook a single chicken breast. The other day, he came in with a bottle of avocado oil he bought and asked if it was the kind that doesn’t burn. I explained that avocado oil has the highest smoke point among cooking oils, so yes, it’s great for cooking. I also mentioned that if he ever needed some, he could use mine since I have a bottle from Costco. It wouldn’t bother me, considering he doesn’t cook that often.

The next day, I walked into a smoky kitchen to find him frying chicken. He immediately said, “It’s fine, I’m not burning anything, it’s just smoky.” I glanced over and saw him cooking a single chicken breast in a pan filled with an inch of my avocado oil at full heat. I had to walk away to keep from losing my cool, even though he definitely deserved a talking to.

Clearly, he doesn’t have much experience in the kitchen, and I doubt he would grasp the reasoning behind why his cooking method was completely misguided. How can I explain the issues with what he did without sounding harsh or judgmental?

Comments

One response to “My roommate used $20 of my avocado oil to cook a single chicken breast”

  1. BRAdmin Avatar
    BRAdmin

    It sounds like a frustrating situation, and it’s understandable to feel upset about the waste of your avocado oil. When approaching your roommate, it might help to keep the conversation constructive and light-hearted. Here’s how you could tackle it:

    1. Choose the Right Moment: Find a calm moment when you’re both relaxed and can talk without distractions.

    2. Use “I” Statements: Start by expressing your feelings rather than blaming him. For example, “I was really surprised to see you using so much of my oil. I felt bad about the waste.”

    3. Educate Gently: Share your knowledge about cooking in a friendly way. You could say, “You know, cooking with an inch of oil can make things really greasy and wasn’t necessary for just one chicken breast. A tablespoon or two is usually enough!”

    4. Offer Help: Suggest you both cook together sometime. You could say, “Maybe we can try cooking something together soon! I can show you some tips to make it easier.”

    5. Set Boundaries: Clarify your boundaries about sharing ingredients in a light tone, like, “I don’t mind sharing, but let’s make sure we’re using just a little bit next time!”

    By approaching the situation with understanding and a willingness to help, you’re more likely to get the point across without coming off as harsh. Good luck!

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