The Housewife's Dilemma

That time of day arrives again when I have to ask that question. My mouth starts to pout, the wrinkly patterns appear on my chin and three deep lines suddenly appear in between my brows. A sure sign, observed my husband, that the grey matter is working a little extra behind my broad forehead. My steps will then start to lag and my shoulders start to slouch...

WHAT AM I GOING TO COOK TODAY? I'm not a chef! I was never trained to cook! What will likely tickle the tastebuds of my boys and my man today? Something soupy perhaps? Or maybe something spicy...

I admit I have always had an interest in cooking. But working full time before and having a maid and having my husband's parents around has made me neglect my interests in the kitchen. Not just in the kitchen actually, but basically about anything and everything to do with housework.

Eight months ago when I started on this quest of mine to become a first class homemaker, I realise I have even forgotten how to cook the main staple food: rice! My first few days, the rice turned all lumpy due to too much water. Then, I overly reduced the water: obviously, the rice became dry and not very easy for my young one to chew. Talk about lack of the 'experienced touch'. But then I improved. I must say practice does make perfect, and not just when cooking the rice. First few months passed and I have worn the few recipes that I know. It was curry, kurma, chicken sambal, chicken soup, spaghetti bolognese, lasagne and baked pasta. We reached the point where my husband told me that he'd rather not have blablabla today (and he never makes any complaints about my cooking!). And my children began to take small bites and declare that they're already full. And, to be truthful to myself, I was fed up of eating the same old stuff too. For consolation, my husband will always tell me that I'm such a good cook and I have mmm...a 'natural talent' for it. But still, 'don't you know any other way to cook the minced mutton?' (In London its not so easy to get any other types of halal meat of the minced variety.)

So I suppose that was when I started to try new recipes that I found from the internet and from friends and family back home. Suffice to say, it's been great, not too many culinary disasters for I have long known that almost all disasters can be salvaged unless, it is totally black and dried up of all liquid. But I have still very far to go before I look calm and serene every time I have to start preparing lunch and dinner instead of the current screwed up face which indicates the worry and 'deep' thought. I will, I think, share some of the good recipes and successes I have had in my kitchen with you from time to time, simply because I feel good recipes and good tips must never be hidden away deep in your granny's grave. Not that I'm a professional at this, mind. Just a housewife with dreams once in a while to become a supermom, but most of the time, just a normal tired mom trying to survive the day...