Ever made a stupid mistake when you were cooking a viand? I mean, by stupid, is forgetting something that will really spoil the whole dish. Ever experienced that? And the frustration that readily follows? Argh! I did. That's why although I opt to write here romantically-inclined stuffs, I preferred to share this one annoying, but quite funny, experience.
You see, being anemic (perhaps brought by my pregnancy) and having heard stuffs that ampalaya (in english 'bitter gourd') helps anemia, I told my hubby that I wanted to have ampalaya with eggs. So, we bought the ingredients and while walking home, I was refreshing in my mind the steps in cooking such. I am not a good cook, I admit. Truth be told, my husband cooks way better off than me. As in a zillion times better. But then, I wanted to share some of the work so I told myself, and him, that maybe I can help prepare it while he's still cooking rice. Boasting about the right steps in the preparation, thinking I can really do it, we both agreed to the idea.
And so, I busied myself first with the spices - crushing the garlic, peeling the onion, and slicing the tomatoes. I felt good about what I was doing and I remembered him telling me that for the best results, especially when it comes to cooking, add some love. I concentrated despite the tear-stained eyes (blame the onion for making me cry). And then I beat the eggs and mixed them with Magic Sarap. Just when I was finished slicing the ampalaya to its desired sizes and rinsing it with water, my hubby came to check the 'progress' of my work. Hesitantly, I asked him the amount of salt to wash with the ampalaya. You see, in order for the ampalaya not to be too bitter, you must mix it with salt until such time that its juice comes off. That juice is then discarded because it carries the bitter taste. Smiling, he told me I can mix a handful of salt. And so I did. After discarding the juice, I then called out to him and said I was already finished. He then took all that I had prepared and went on to cook another masterpiece.
Waiting for him to be finished, I started browsing the net, feeling good about myself. It was actually my first time to prepare such. When he finally called me out for lunch, I hastily jumped off the bed and was excited to see the result. Of course, part of the hard work was mine. But then, my excitement (and a bit rumbling of the stomach) faded when I saw the look on his face. Something's wrong, I know for sure. I asked him and in answer, he let me taste the viand. My face twisted when it was too salty. And then it hit me. I forgot to rinse it with water after soaking it with salt! Stupid of me! Due to too much excitement about the idea that I was actually preparing it, I completely forgot that some of the salt granules do not melt and it stick with the ampalaya. That's why rinsing it with water afterward is a must. Seeing my reaction, my husband couldn't help but laugh while asking,"Kalimot ka'g waswas sa tubig noh? (You forgot to rinse it with water?)" And I can only laugh along with him to ease up the frustration building inside me. I totally blew it! Sensing I was starting to get agitated eventhough I was smiling, hubby hugged me and said, it can still be eaten; although we would really look like having some diet.
The truth? I think only less than 10 slices were eaten. Up to this moment, the poor ampalaya with egg remained in its container. Huh! Such an experience. But it sure taught me well. I'd better watch out the next time I volunteer. =)
You see, being anemic (perhaps brought by my pregnancy) and having heard stuffs that ampalaya (in english 'bitter gourd') helps anemia, I told my hubby that I wanted to have ampalaya with eggs. So, we bought the ingredients and while walking home, I was refreshing in my mind the steps in cooking such. I am not a good cook, I admit. Truth be told, my husband cooks way better off than me. As in a zillion times better. But then, I wanted to share some of the work so I told myself, and him, that maybe I can help prepare it while he's still cooking rice. Boasting about the right steps in the preparation, thinking I can really do it, we both agreed to the idea.
And so, I busied myself first with the spices - crushing the garlic, peeling the onion, and slicing the tomatoes. I felt good about what I was doing and I remembered him telling me that for the best results, especially when it comes to cooking, add some love. I concentrated despite the tear-stained eyes (blame the onion for making me cry). And then I beat the eggs and mixed them with Magic Sarap. Just when I was finished slicing the ampalaya to its desired sizes and rinsing it with water, my hubby came to check the 'progress' of my work. Hesitantly, I asked him the amount of salt to wash with the ampalaya. You see, in order for the ampalaya not to be too bitter, you must mix it with salt until such time that its juice comes off. That juice is then discarded because it carries the bitter taste. Smiling, he told me I can mix a handful of salt. And so I did. After discarding the juice, I then called out to him and said I was already finished. He then took all that I had prepared and went on to cook another masterpiece.
Waiting for him to be finished, I started browsing the net, feeling good about myself. It was actually my first time to prepare such. When he finally called me out for lunch, I hastily jumped off the bed and was excited to see the result. Of course, part of the hard work was mine. But then, my excitement (and a bit rumbling of the stomach) faded when I saw the look on his face. Something's wrong, I know for sure. I asked him and in answer, he let me taste the viand. My face twisted when it was too salty. And then it hit me. I forgot to rinse it with water after soaking it with salt! Stupid of me! Due to too much excitement about the idea that I was actually preparing it, I completely forgot that some of the salt granules do not melt and it stick with the ampalaya. That's why rinsing it with water afterward is a must. Seeing my reaction, my husband couldn't help but laugh while asking,"Kalimot ka'g waswas sa tubig noh? (You forgot to rinse it with water?)" And I can only laugh along with him to ease up the frustration building inside me. I totally blew it! Sensing I was starting to get agitated eventhough I was smiling, hubby hugged me and said, it can still be eaten; although we would really look like having some diet.
The truth? I think only less than 10 slices were eaten. Up to this moment, the poor ampalaya with egg remained in its container. Huh! Such an experience. But it sure taught me well. I'd better watch out the next time I volunteer. =)
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