Why is it not necessary to carefully watch food or stir while cooks?

Here's why:

* Burning: Food can easily burn if left unattended, especially on high heat. This can ruin the taste, texture, and even create harmful compounds.

* Overcooking: Food can become dry and tough if cooked for too long. This can happen even if it's not burning.

* Undercooking: Certain foods like meat and poultry need to be cooked to a specific internal temperature to kill bacteria.

* Uneven cooking: Stirring ensures food cooks evenly and prevents sticking.

* Safety: Leaving food unattended on the stove can be a fire hazard.

In short, carefully watching and stirring your food is essential for good results and food safety.

It's understandable why you might ask this question, though. Maybe you've heard the phrase "don't watch the pot" (which is actually an old wives' tale). This is meant to encourage patience, but it doesn't mean you can completely ignore your cooking!