My cooking adventures began when I was 6 or 7, when my Mom recruited me to help peel the potatoes for some kind of side dish. I do not remember the side dish, just the awful work for peeling potatoes.
Honestly, why do I have to do this? There really is a law against child labor, right?
My motions with the peeler weren’t nearly as smooth and purposeful, as hers; and I really couldn’t hold onto the potatoes all that well. I just wanted to give up. I was a failure! Well, my mother didn’t let me off quite so easily.
After a few pointers on how to hold the potato and a simpler, peel-away-from-your knuckles technique, I finally got a little faster. Granted, mom could still peel 2 to 3 potatoes in the time it took me to do one. At such an early age, my mom was so patient with me.
Looking back now, I see that moment as my Mom welcoming me into the kitchen as a sous chef. Albeit, she would always let me help mix the cake batter or lick the brownie spoon. However, this time was different. I was apart of the meal-preparation process. To this day, my favorite part of cooking is the prep work: chopping and peeling. Give me a chef's knife and some veggies, and I'm a happy girl.
One of my first cookbooks was a handy-me-down from my Mom. I think it was a Betty Crocker’s cookbook for kids. It was spiral bound with illustrations from the fifties. I still love spiral-bound cookbooks because they lay nicely on the counter – you don’t have to use your elbow to hold the page open when your hands are too dirty to touch the book – but I digress.
One year, for Mother’s Day, I desperately wanted to make my mom the heart-shaped cake out of that cookbook… all by myself. I don’t know if it was out of pity or just not wanting to eat my cooking, she helped me. I was so proud of being able to make a cake. I don’t remembered how it tasted but that the adventure was just so much fun!
Although I don't get to cook with my Mom very often, it is a special time for us. We share stories, laugh about the day, or just use the time to relax. I am very blessed to have such amazing in-laws. It has been an honor to cook alongside my husband's grandmother. I feel like she is sharing history with me, when we cook together. I pray that I can pass down this tradition to my children.
When did you start cooking? Do you have a favorite memory?
Kristy! I think I used that same Betty Crocker kids cookbook when I was a kid! I loved the Sugar Cookie recipe in that book...those cookies were soft, and had a bit of lemon flavor. That cookbook, and maybe even that sugar cookie recipe, fueled my love of baking.
ReplyDeleteThat is so awesome, Cherish! I really did love that book. Don't you still love reading cookbooks? They really are therapy for me.
ReplyDeleteI do! Reading cookbooks is relaxing and so enjoyable for me. I love to read them while I eat lunch, actually. Doesn't always happen...with 3 small kids, but I love it when it does!
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