Kitchen tale

Growing up, I never have even the slightest urge to go into the kitchen other than to make myself a 2 minutes instant noodle or getting something to drink. I think I was scared of all the stove and the smell of onions and having to handle uncook fishes and chicken. More than anything, I hate the dirty dishes. Duh! Who doesn't, right? My grandma often looked at me in dismay whenever I told her back then that cooking just isn't in the bag for me. She scolded me telling me that women should know how to cook, or else you'll never gonna find a husband. Haha! I was 13 when she told me this, resulting to me feeling even more determine not to cook. Who ever said that I need a husband, I said to her.

When I was 16, my best friend, Nana (or more known by my mom as 'partner-in-crime') and I hang out a lot at her place. Mostly because her mom loves to cook and I love to eat. Her house was like a homeless shelter to me back then. I spent many nights sleeping over and shamelessly joining them for lunch, dinner, and well, breakfast. I think this was when everything change.

Nana's mom bakes a lot. The best thing was, whenever I was there, she'll ask me what cake do I want, then she actually make them for me. Imagine this, she made a trifle in a Tupperware and let me finished it all on my own only because I told Nana the week before that I was craving for a Trifle. And most of the time during these baking processes, Nana helped, making me having no choice but to watch them, waiting like a puppy for a taste when it's all done and baked. Along the way, Nana managed to make me help too and I was like.. Hey, it's fun!

I don't remember what was my first cake that I did on my own. But it was a disaster, that much I remember. After that I kept a close eye whenever Nana and her mom was baking, trying to learn any tips as much as I can. It paid off, I guess. Because now, although I wouldn't call myself a pro just yet (*grin) at least my cakes and cupcakes are presentable enough and more importantly, edible.

At Nana's I learnt more than baking. I learnt to not be afraid to go into the kitchen and actually use the stove for something other than boiling the water and making scrambled eggs. Although I didn't start to seriously cook until I move to Segamat, still, it was an improvement for a 16 year-old girl. Not that I would ever admit that to my grandma.

Now, 11 years later.. Here I am, a wife and a mommy. Cooking daily for my husband and occasionally experimenting on new recipes for cakes, pies and cookies. My grandma called one time when I was cooking lunch. I could've swore that I heard a smile on her voice when I told her that I'm making ayam masak lemak cili api. I'm still not confident enough to cook meal for people who come to visit, opposite to baking though. For some reason, I find baking a cake is far easier than cooking a meal.

The curse is broken long since. Kitchen is my favorite part in the house. Thanks to Nana and her mom :)