Cooking

I think I have been giving the wrong impression.

Two recipes posted in just over two weeks. And two cookbooks in the ballycumber (see sidebar). You would be justified in assuming that I like to cook.

In fact, I hate it. I only like cooking on a whim. Once in a while. You know, when you all of a sudden get the urge to mess in the kitchen. I like baking a lot more than I like cooking, but even that is not something I want to do daily. Not even weekly.

Oh wait. Breakfasts and brunch. I like cooking that. If you define cooking loosely. Especially when the definition is loose enough to encompass unpacking things from the deli and putting them on a plate.

I can easily live on a variety of egg dishes, and sandwiches made from crusty artisan bread and a selection of cheeses. Add some fruit & raw veggies and presto, that's breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Boring? No! Do you know how many different types of bread there are? How many different cheeses? How many varieties of apples?

Anyway, the getting bored with food is something that I don't understand. I will happily eat the same thing every day for quite a long time. Then I'll switch to another thing & eat that for a few months. You know how people talk about being tired of the food at all-inclusive resorts and on cruiseships? Phooey. Just a bunch of culinary snobs.

Which all might be making you wonder why there are 2 big fat cookbooks in my ballycumber. And the answer is that both kids are keen on cooking and they want to expand their expertise and repertoire. Now, I have always intended that both my children would be well drilled in 101 ways to survive on eggs, bread and cheese before I set them free on the world.

Every homeschooling family has a list of core things. For some it's swimming, for others it's a Bach concerto. For me it's that they both have to be able to cook a couple basic dishes, to know how to wash their clothes, and to understand why you must always pay off your credit cards in full. That's the basic curriculum in a nutshell. Everything else is hazelnut frosting.

But I have two keeners on my hands & if they want to do the advanced placement credit and learn to prepare broiled salmon with new potatoes and asparagus, followed by a strawberry and kiwi tart, I'll gladly support them. And don't think that I haven't considered the wonderful possibilities of their enthusiasm for cooking. (or cookery as the Brits would have it). Yes, I'm already day-dreaming about the months ahead, when all responsibilities for food will be on someone else's shoulders. When I'll just sail into the dining room and find wonderful meals all ready. I'll just pour the wine, and enjoy the meal. Oh yes, and they'll clean the kitchen too. Won't it be splendid?

You know what I really want? I want Jeeves. I want Jeeves to live with me, bring me tea in bed in the morning (or a little pick-me-up instead, if circumstances warrant), clean my clothes, and prepare simple dinners for those days when I'm not dining at the club. Is that so much to ask for? Is that really so much to ask for?