Can We Make These, Please?

My son loves to help in the kitchen. Zach’s 12 and can handle a knife and he’s becoming a pretty good sous chef (the person who preps ingredients). Zach also loves to know how things work. He likes to tinker and tear apart. He really likes to watch shows that tell him how it’s done, whatever the “it” is. When you marry these two interests you get a big fan of Good Eats, a cooking show on the Food Network. The host, Alton Brown, demystifies what happens when you cook by explaining the science behind all those reactions, calculations and combinations. He gets right down to the molecular level. All the science is presented with flare and humor, and delicious creations result. When you follow these new lessons your cooking definitely becomes Good Eats. I’m a big fan of the show as well.

A recent episode focused on wonton wrappers. The basic premise of the show: take a chance on a new ingredient. Use these things and you’ll be surprised how versatile they are. (Yeah, right.) My son was enthralled.

“Let’s make those, Mom!”

“What? Potstickers? No! Those are for restaurants.” Even though I’d just watched Alton whip up a batch with ease, my reaction was negative. But Zach would not be swayed.

“Let’s do it. They look really yummy. It’ll be fun.”

“Well . . . if we can find the wrappers at our grocery store, maybe.” I was counting on the store not stocking them. On the next grocery trip Zach found the wonton wrappers and I reluctantly purchased all the ingredients we needed.

Before we started potsticker production, Zach and I watched the show we had taped one more time to be sure we were ready. Then we measured, we mixed, we stuffed, and we folded. The time had come. They stuck to the pan perfectly. They steamed free perfectly. They tasted perfect. WOW! We were so impressed with ourselves.
Zach turned to me and before he could even smirk I said, “I never, and I mean never, would have tried this if you hadn’t pushed me. These are wonderful. Thank you.”

With the enthusiasm of youth my son had set the example and he dragged me along for a delicious ride. Yes, it was just making potstickers at home but it got me thinking. What do I miss because I’m too intimidated to try? Have I lost all sense of adventure? Where’s my enthusiasm? Lucky for me there are all kinds of ways for God to reach into my life and get me going again. This time He used a child. This time He reminded me there is excitement everywhere I look, in the kitchen, as well as around the corner and across the ocean.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

Posted 4/11/2006 @ 4:05 PM | Weekly Thoughts