My Aspiring Cook

My son, who just turned 9, has been interested in learning to cook and experiment with food. So far, he can cook omelets and french toast with little help. He likes to help me cook sometimes if there's nothing interesting on TV at the moment (Sheesh).

But his biggest thing is experimenting by putting foods that don't normally go together and see how it turns out. His first attempt was a Peanut Butter and Baloney Sandwich which he said was good (but hasn't had it again). He asked me to help him make a Peanut Butter/Jelly/Maple Syrup sandwich once. But after putting the top slice of bread ontop of the goo and have the sandwich fart on me I said he's on his own (after he picked himself off the floor from laughing first).

Last week he came to his father and I in the living room with 2 large glasses filled with a brownish-reddish liquid and says "Here, try this!"
It was pretty good, just a bit too tart for me, but his father liked it. "What is it?" we asked.
"I took the powdered mixes of fruit punch, lemonade and apple juice and mixed it all together with water" he proudly exclaims, "Wanna know what the secret ingredient is?"
"Oh please make it something edible" I silently prayed, but smiled "Sure hun."
"Salt!"
"salt?"
"Yeah!"
"oooookay" (sip slowly)

I've stopped being suprised at the different concoctions in dirty dishes dumped in the kitchen sink. I once found my biggest bowl filled with what looked like runny mud.
"Honey?? What's this?"
"Something I tried making"
"What did ya use?"
"Brown sugar, maple syrup, lemon juice, and orange juice"
(Cringe) "Did you eat any?"
"No, but tried to make my sister eat some"
"Oh brother!"

He has come up with some pretty good "recipes" and he has proudly added them to my recipe box. His favorite is what he calls "Apple Bun" dessert. He takes a round dinner roll, scoops out the top middle with a spoon. He then spoons in apple sauce in the hole and nukes it in the microwave to warm it up. It's actually pretty good and simple too.

Who knows someday he'll be the next Bobby Flay? But until then, we all have to suffer....errr... endure the experiments.