Sep 04 2009
who taught you to cook?
It occured to me long ago that despite the abundance of cooking shows, cooking is becoming a lost art. Well, cooking at home, at least. I sat and watched in amazement as people lined up at a local steakhouse for a holiday meal, barely able to keep my jaw from dropping open as a child reffered to the place as ” grandma’s kitchen “, listening as she laughingly explained to those nearby that they always ate here when family came to visit, so much so that the kids called it ” granny’s kitchen.” It was cute, in a way, but it made me think further.
How many recipes are you teaching your children that your parents taught you, as their’s taught them? How are they learning to cook for themselves and their children as they grow to adulthood and have children of their own? Schools no longer teach Home Economics, where those of my generation learned to sew a seam, hem, install a zipper…and cook ! We learned measuring, used the math other teachers taught us, in a practical fashion. No one cared that the stove could be hot; worried that parents would sue if a child burned a pinkie. We were taught kitchen safety along with meauring ingrediants.
Somedays I feel like all we are passing on is which burger joint has the fastest service; or the most coupons. The food isn’t great; often it’s not even good, yet they are full so much, like the soda fountain on a weekend night. I applaud the commercials that are promotiing family nights with games. Why don’t we start advertising baking a cake or cupcakes to go with those game nights and family movie nights? Who cares if the kitchen is a mess ? We can also share the comraderie that comes with everyone chipping in to clean up. I don’t mean kids scrubbing while parents zone out in front of the TV, either.
Learning is best done by example in every case. Parents, jump in there and share the work ! Start a small water fight and make it fun ! Lick the bowls, fight over the spoons dipped in icing, chase someone with that infamous dishtowel… just don’t leave redmarks !! Remember..kids learn fast, and you’ll get paid back one day …LOL. Make sure the payback isn’t eating burnt cake !
C’mon, people ! Let’s put the fun back in being a family !
