For a few years now, when baking a Dutch Baby pancake, they would stubbornly refuse to rise. It was equal parts vexing and infuriating, especially given how long the anticipation can build between pre-heating the oven, baking, and finally digging into a fluffy, lemon-and-powdered-sugar confection. I tried everything: different heat, different pans, fresher flour, more/less eggs, etc. etc. All to no avail. Until I heard the craziest thing ever.
Use skim milk.
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For me, the best part of parenting is indoctrination. We talked about this with music, we’re getting close to Magic cards, but it’s also interesting what they pick up on their own. Since I do the cooking in the house (Benalish Momma, as a scientist, is an excellent baker but can’t get dinner on the table) Lil Chandra watches me cook a lot. And then wants to do what I do. With knives!
Like all things in late stage capitalism, Big Childrearing is delighted to sell you things interact with your child. I have found the following two things helpful.
Bought on an impulse, I was shocked by how utilitarian this is. The knife has a real edge, but not pointy. So it cuts nicely but is unlikely to take out an eye. The peeler is right in that sweet spot of satisfying and easy to accomplish: a.k.a. perfect for a four-year old. I tossed the finger guard.
Opinel Le Petit Chef Complete 3 Piece Kitchen Set,
These are straight construction-site kevlar gloves. But they come in tiny sizes! And while a bad grip can be more dangerous than just holding a knife, the gloves give me permission to hand her the knife in the first place.
With knives came a new policy. “Is there a grownup that can help?” When using a tool that is potentially dangerous, Lil Chandra is instructed to always ask that question before grasping. Ask before picking up a knife. Same goes for turning on the fireplace. Fortunately, she inherited a double-dose of teacher’s pet recessives so this has been a breeze to implement.
Benalish Dad 