Lots of us read cookbooks as a form of relaxation, allowing the stories and recipes to transport us away from our stressful, workaday world. Of course there are other ways to get carried away from the ordinary, as we have learned via EYB Member sir_ken_g, who pointed us to a series of cooking videos that have people mesmerized. 

screen shot

The videos on the streaming service TikTok feature men wordlessly cooking elaborate meals in an idyllic countryside setting. TikTok user  @bashan0915 has garnered a following of nearly 300,000 viewers by posting these addictive videos. The appeal, according to the Eater article, is the stunning scenery combined with techniques completely removed from our normal cooking routines. This is escapism at its finest. 

Even more serene and relaxing are the YouTube videos from Li Ziqi, including this one of her preparing a New Year's dinner for family and friends. Tranquil music accompanies the lush cinematography that follows the young woman as she chops vegetables on an outdoor chopping block and steams fish using a traditional wood stove and wok. It's easy to be drawn into a binge-watching session of these charming videos.