So, it has come to that. Thank heavens for a family plan on our cellphones because this is the second time I've had to walk him through learning to cook something. The first time it was a seasoned chicken breast that he cooked on his George Foreman grill. This time it was simply scrambled eggs with cheese.

We take a lot for granted when we do something over and over. Breaking an egg for the first time cook can be a challenge, I forgot that. I wish I knew in my life how many eggs I have actually broken. Probably thousands. I'm pretty good at it by now. To younger son, who had never in his life cracked an egg, it was a feat of skill. I had to explain about tapping it sharply on one side and then using your thumbs underneath to pull it apart gently. I wouldn't even know how to explain the one handed technique I've perfected after all these years of cooking.

I had to explain how to gently melt the margarine and let it bubble, how to beat the eggs into a creamy yellow emulsion and pour them into the bubbling margarine. Then you turn down the heat, because the secret of really fluffy eggs is to beat them good before you put them into the pan and then cook them slowly. He wanted to add cheese, and I had to walk him through it. When he was done he felt that sense of accomplishment.

Long distance cooking techniques. I wonder what he'll want to cook next. Hopefully it won't be anything too complicated, we'd be on the phone for hours...

This is an old picture, but it's still us.

Comments:

Kerry is learning and he seems to like it. I don't say anything to squash that. But the cookbook mentioned seems a great gift..and cooking shows...Racheal Ray has some out that aren't hard or too over the top..

Now you know what to get him for his birthday--a cookbook for single men!

comment by greatmartin on Sept 7, 2008 9:51 AM ()

that's a great idea, or a video, since he's learning disabled. He would do better with the visuals! Great idea, martin!

reply by teacherwoman on Sept 7, 2008 11:01 AM ()

What a great looking son. There was something joyful about this post- maybe your pride in him coming through?

comment by dragonflyby on Sept 7, 2008 9:02 AM ()

Thanks so much. Yes he is a cutie! And now he's a Georgia Bulldog!

reply by teacherwoman on Sept 7, 2008 9:04 AM ()

at least he is wanting to learn to cook! my older son can only make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!

comment by elkhound on Sept 7, 2008 8:43 AM ()

Since he and older son have their apartment, they both like to cook for themselves. He's just going through the learning process. I hope he gets good at it. He can do really good laundry! AT least that's one domestic job he's mastered

reply by teacherwoman on Sept 7, 2008 8:45 AM ()

comment by lunarhunk on Sept 7, 2008 8:38 AM ()

I kept telling him to learn to cook!

reply by teacherwoman on Sept 7, 2008 8:42 AM ()