I remember how the kitchen and I were enemies just early last year.I used to play hide and seek with utensils and the only time they could catch me was when food was ready.
I also remember how I used to tell my mother cooking was not my thing and I dont think any 21st century man even would even care about that(don’t judge me I was just 12 years).Anytime my mom would shout at me for not wanting to come help her cook I would explain politely whiles faking tears that my husband wouldn’t mind KFC,pizza and indomie so she should let me watch my cartoons in peace.Fortunately there’s been a great turn of events.
The most interesting thing is I learned how to cook banku and okro stew at the age of 13 because I heard that was one of the most difficult dishes to prepare in Ghana.
So according to my naive brain at that time, I did the maths and concluded that If I’m able to learn the most difficult dishes then the rest would be a bonus for me. I also learned a lot of delicate fante dishes and started forcing my relatives to call me Chef Abena.
I remember the very first time I tried cooking groundnut soup was in level 100 at the university.I started in morning around 8am and finished around 4pm.I just kept on pouring water and the funny part was that my roommate told me if I see oil on top of it,that’s when it’s ready so I waited and waited.If it’s today that the oil will surface,I don’t know.
I also remember my first time of cooking jollof rice.It was terrible.Before that day I had broadcasted to the whole house to come home in expectant of a jollof rice party.Ladies and Gentlemen the Jollof rice disgraced me. Even rice and stew mixed together looked better than that jollof rice. I had to rebrand it as white jollof( an imaginary continental dish) and the party was organized for the poor cats at home.From that day,I learned that you should never let Jollof rice know you’re coming to cook Jollof rice. If not as you prepare to cook it,it also prepares to do you dirty.
Getting to the end of last year,there was a tremendous progress and I’m really proud of myself for how close I have become to utensils now.I don’t know if the kitchen sees me as a best friend but I definitely do now.
The first place I go right after waking up in the morning is the kitchen and the last place I visit before going to bed is the kitchen.I can boldy say we’re in a healthy relationship now and I no more run away from utensils.
One of the things I’ve come to love is always cleaning the kitchen right after cooking with emphasis on the washing sink.
I think it’s now safe to say the kitchen is my favourite room at home.As I said earlier,I’m proud of the dishes I can prepare now.
Future Mr Abenad doesnt have worry about eating KFC for breakfast,pizza for lunch and indomie for supper anymore.
Thank you all for your time and it was wonderful having you here.
