Do we teach our kids to cook anymore?

I remember growing up a lot of years ago and watching my mother cut up stuff and stir stuff and boil stuff and put stuff in the oven and then when all that was done, a delicious meal was set before me.  Back then, fast food was the exception instead of the rule.  I remember growing up in San Antonio on special occasions, we would go to a restaurant called Earl Able and the food was always so good.  But the food never could compare to my mom's cooking.  During my younger years we would sometimes stay over at my cousin's house and there were 8 kids in that family, the oldest daughter Yolanda, would just make the most wonderful simple dishes and the next oldest daughter MarShiela baked the most wonderful cakes and pies as well as made a mean dinner anytime of the week. But they came by it honestly because their mom Helen to me made the most wonderful enchilada's.  Then in the summer, we would spend time at my grandmother's house in New Orleans and that was a whole new type of cooking lesson.  The things that came out of that kitchen were so good.  I guess I have always been surrounded by good cooks which only cultivated my love for cooking more.  

But I guess my question is, don't we teach our kids to cook anymore?  With the 99 cent drive through meals sometimes it is easier to feed them that type of food but what if, just what if we taught them how to make a few simple dishes well so they could be self sufficient.  Now, don't get me wrong, as much as I would like to say my two oldest children went off to college making shrimp creole and smothered chicken, that did not happen. Honestly, I taught both of them to cook pretty much over the phone.  They would call with a taste for something and I would guide them through with phone instructions and e-mail recipes.  I must say in my defense they did know how to cook simple things, survivable things, I will not go hungry in my dorm things.

I cannot tell you how many young women have come up to me asking me to teach them how to cook.  This was not something their parents did when they lived at home or like my kids, they were busy with other things and did not have the time to learn.  I feel pretty bad for those right now who do not know how because with the economy the way it is, the most cost effective way to eat is to prepare meals at home.   

Teaching young people to cook can start with simple pre cut cookies on a cookie sheet.  Then graduate to making them from scratch.  Teach kitchen safety along the way.  Then graduate them to their favorite meal.  At the least before your child goes off to school, they should know how to scramble an egg, make taco's, or make spaghetti.  Obesity can be fought with knowing what is being prepared and what is in what you eat.  Did you know if you eat breakfast or dinner out on a regular basis, your chances of becoming obese are doubled?  Just a little foodimentary for thought.  

Cook on.......

If you are in the Dallas area and are interested in cooking classes, contact me at ahlalou.com