Every year, as sunlight and warm weather return, the busiest season is upon us. AP exams are the apex of these stressful times, whether we are rookie test-takers or veteran troopers of CollegeBoard. Around this time, Mother’s Day is caught in the crossfire. We often buy a stock card and hastily scribble some cheesy message we will never remember. If we have spare time, maybe we will pick out a flower bouquet. These gifts are not meaningless, but efficient, considering the time restrictions of an academically-burdened high school student. After we bestow our gifts, the holiday quickly slips away again. We power through our exams and enter a period of recovery, embracing the summer season ahead. Then, Father’s Day is right around the corner, but with the end-of-year push, we are just as frazzled as we were a month prior.
We are often reminded to be obedient and grateful to our parents, but over time, these words start to feel hollow. It’s not that we mean to be unappreciative. In fact, we genuinely want to express our gratitude. Yet, caught up in schoolwork and daily stress, we find ourselves overthinking even the simplest gestures, only to play it safe with a mug and a handwritten card. And while you could always buy another version of the same mug, consider a more meaningful gift this year.
Sometimes, the most meaningful gift isn’t something you buy—it’s giving your parents the gift of your time. Helping with their least-favorite chore can be that perfectly imperfect gift.
Many of our parents come home from full-time jobs, exhausted both mentally and physically. Yet, despite their fatigue, they greet us with a hug and smile before heading to the kitchen to prepare dinner. At the start of each week, they also take time out of their schedules to plan meals, ensuring that we’re well-fed. While we can’t take on the responsibility of putting food on the table every night, we can lighten their load by handling dinner one night a week—or even just one time! By taking this one task off their plate, our parents now have a brief respite.
Our parents might plan to finish leftovers for convenience. This realization may seem to foil your plans, but stay persistent with your goal. Nothing will surprise them more than expecting a reheated dinner and receiving a freshly-cooked meal instead.You can also help by setting the table and plating the food onto their respective tableware. Dinner will be ready-to-eat after your parents finish winding down.
If you have a stay-at-home parent who prepares your meals, you can offer to take over and clean the kitchen for a night. They receive no vacation days, since taking care of you is their full-time job. Without the stress of cooking dinner, this brief period of relaxation can simulate a vacation-like experience. If they worry about the turnout of your cooking skills, you can bake a sweet treat to complement their dish to prove your credibility.
How do you plan and cook a meal, though? When planning, be realistic. As much as we would eat a family-sized bag of Takis, two Celsius’, and an apple for dinner, tailor the meal to the adult’s palette. Pick a protein first and incorporate veggies. Cooking dinner can include frozen pre-prepared foods. Our parents do not expect a Gordon Ramsey level experience. Places like Trader Joe’s intentionally sell these products to shorten prep time while using the healthiest ingredients. Before entering any grocery store, make sure you assess what cooking ware you and use and compile a grocery list. For beginners, pasta is a viable option, since it only requires boiling your pasta and adding in the sauce. Side note: Doing the dishes after dinner is a must.
Here is a warning: The first time you put on that apron and turn on the stove, it will be daunting. If you are a first time chef, you will most likely burn or undercook a dish. Learn from your mistakes and practice the dishes you intend to make beforehand. The more practice you get in, the better off you will be when you serve your family. Even after all this preparation, if something goes wrong, do not get discouraged and try an alternative recipe with your remaining ingredients. No dinner is truly ruined until you give up.
If you have some trouble getting started, here are some websites to help you get started:
Trader Joe’s Recipes: https://www.traderjoes.com/home/recipes
For Asian recipes, visit Tiffy Cooks: https://tiffycooks.com
New York Times Cooking: https://cooking.nytimes.com (recipes may be complex for beginner chefs)
In the wise words of Chef Auguste from Ratatouille, “Anyone can cook, but only the fearless can be great.” Forget any cooking creations of the past and fearlessly channel your inner chef.
