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This Is Us
What’s the Best Thing You’ve Ever Cooked? No, Seriously.
My son’s curiosity prompted a Facebook survey — followed by a personal reckoning
I have two kids, both boys. One seems offended by the idea of mealtime as a general concept. The only exceptions that make him perk up at the table are 1) Swiss chard pancakes; 2) mac and cheese; or 3) dal and rice. No carb-fanatic stereotypes happening there, clearly.
My other son eats pretty much everything and appreciates food like it’s his full-time job. On the rare occasion he doesn’t enjoy a meal, he worries about hurting the chef’s feelings — mostly me, now that restaurant outings are a rarity — so the only way he’ll indicate his lukewarm sentiment is by not asking for a second serving. Two guesses which of these children motivates me to get in the kitchen and cook every day. And since self-flagellation isn’t my thing, the answer should be obvious.
Two nights ago, said delightful child was scooping up the last of yet another amazing dinner — his words, not mine — when he asked a question that totally threw me, and which I haven’t stopped thinking about since.
“So, Amma,” he queried casually between bites of noodles, “what’s the best thing you’ve ever cooked?”
Huh. You would’ve thought he’d just asked me the meaning of life. Honestly, I could probably drum up a faster response to that one. But the best thing I’ve ever cooked? I couldn’t explain why this question felt so… mammoth.
After a good three minutes of silence, I lobbed it back to him. “What do you think is the best thing I’ve ever cooked?”
His response was immediate and disconcerting. “Oh, everything, obviously! I love everything you make.”
I felt foolish. He obviously hadn’t meant this to be such a head-scratcher, so I should let it go, right? Of course not. Why do the reasonable thing? Instead, I texted a group of friends. What was the best dish they’d ever cooked? Surely they’d find this question as difficult as I had?
Initially, it seemed like they did. Everyone was momentarily stumped — but soon enough, answers started coming in. Favorite desserts were named, and special salads, even…
