Our Future Chef

The smallest of them all told me that he would like to be a Chef (Koch) someday, like Tito Olan. It helps that kids have an inspiration or idol of what they want to be when they grow up. It could still change, of course. But while they’re at it, a few encouragement and moral support would be very helpful. We’re hands-off when it comes to our kids’ dream jobs or work, as long as they’re legal and are aligned with our values. And we trust that when the time comes, they’d be wise enough to decide for their own.

So anyways, one morning, Mack told me, with full conviction, that he’d be the one to prepare our breakfast. I found him up on a chair in front of the pantry, right beside the ceramic hob. A part of me silently slightly freaked out (baka mahulog!) but the sight of him holding a pack of pasta in one hand and a can of tomato sauce in the other was just too cute, and for a moment I imagined him like a proud grownup wearing white uniform and a toque saying “just sit back and relax, mommy, and I’ll take care of your dinner”.

Cooking the pasta.

We started with the main ingredients, and checking if we had everything in the pantry. He got to choose which kind of pasta to use, he chose the colorful heart-shaped that we got from Venice two or three years ago (still good) mixed with Fusilli. So we boiled enough water and cooked the pasta, al dente.

Then came the sauce. The kids are used to sweet Filipino Style Spaghetti sauce like McDonalds and Jollibee. But since we came here to Germany, their taste buds have slowly adjusted and have started to like it less sweeter and more sour (like Italian-ish) with lots of Basil and Parmesan Cheese.

We added thick milk to make it more creamy.

Cooking with Mack was fun. He specially liked pouring and putting the ingredients, and slowly stirring. Not only he was able to practice following cooking directions (and patience!), he was also able to enjoy the food he actually prepared.

Happy eating!

~ by ivymarasigan on October 20, 2021.