I seem to be cooking all the time and my toddlers seem to be getting better and better at helping and not helping me with the cooking. By now they have figured out how to sift flower.
And how to steal sugar
and how to do it in large quantities
They are great in sharing, sometimes even forcing the other to try some
and even better at sticking their fingers in my perfect shots
But there is nothing better then cookie dough, or licking the cake pan or whisk. I know that their mother should pay more attention to things like salmonella, but she can’t seem to find the right balance between this beautiful childhood memory and health. How many of you remember licking bowls from your mom’s cooking?
Somehow I just can’t find the rational to not allow my kids do to so. I know it is logical there is proven evidence, but but but. I remember my favorite dessert as a child called Kogiel Mogiel (ko gyl moe gyl) where you took raw egg yolk, sugar and cocoa powder and whisk it till creamy. We all ate it survived and never got sick. Who knows maybe we had stomachs of steel or maybe we just train them that way. Or maybe there is a reason that in Germany, where every Salmonella case needs to be reported, is estimated that every 5th person is a carrier of Salmonella.
Where Salmonella has to be consumed in large quantities in adults, children are much more susceptible. Which officially gives me a Mother of the Year Award.
But, but, but
How could we miss out on this?
With so many carriers living and healthy should we even be worried? What are the chances that even though you omit any fully uncooked eggs, onions, scallions etc. from their diet they will get Salmonella from your next European Vacation, or trip to Chinatown (where they sell turtles).
Ahhh… Parenting can be so tough….So what is your opinion?
Authors bio is coming up shortly.
You’re right… we all grew up licking the batter and guess what? We’re still alive!!!! I admit I do hesitate for about a second when my kids ask for the bowls and spoons… and then I think, what the hell? Let them be kids!
I go back and forth on this one…most of the time I just give in because as you said, I ate raw batter all the time growing up and I seemed to be okay! But I try to buy egg whites in a carton and use those as much as possible.
Your kids are too cute!! No wonder you can’t say no to them.
We all lick the spoon and bowl in our house…that’s the most fun!! Our kids “help” me cook and bake too, it requires a little more patience on my part, but we all (usually) have a good time.