Breakfast Lessons

When I was 8 years old, I asked my mom if I could make pancakes for breakfast. I don't remember if the pancakes were good. I do remember burning the hell out of one of my fingers on the frying pan. Live and learn, I suppose.

The other thing I remember is that when I asked my mom for the measuring cups to measure out 2 cups of Bisquick, she said, "Just guess. Pour some in the bowl and put in two eggs. Add some milk. If it's too thick, add more milk -- too thin, add more Bisquick." (At least I think it went something like that -- remember, my finger was throbbing at this point.) Apparently this is how my grandma makes pancakes, my mom makes pancakes, and would become how I make pancakes.

The beauty of teaching this method to an 8-year-old is that it does two things:

1. Instills a sense of confidence. I have the power over these pancakes and I don't need any silly measuring devices.
2. Leads to many weekend breakfasts with piles of pancakes that could have fed the neighborhood (too thick, add milk, too thin, add Bisquick, too thick, add milk, too thin...you get the idea).

The first of these things is what I carried with me through adulthood. I have confidence in my cooking. I am not a professional and would never claim to be. There is a lot I don't know how to do. There are many things I am still cautious about trying. But I know that I like to do it. And the people who have shared meals with me that I've cooked seem to enjoy what they are eating, and that makes me happy.

So I invite you to read about my hobby. Maybe you will learn something from me, gain a little confidence in the kitchen or just try making pancakes without a 1-cup measure. I look forward to posting photos, recipes, stories and guest posts by some of the foodies who are closest to me.

And I'll end this post with the same thing I say to my husband every night before we're about to eat the dinner I've just prepared: I hope it's good.