When I was growing up, our kitchen seemed like a magical place. I saw my mom making supper every day for our family, and on Saturdays, if we asked really nicely, my dad would make us pancakes for breakfast. I remember having to stand on a chair so that I could reach the counter to help my mom make chocolate chip cookies. And once I was older, I could look through my mom’s recipe book, learning how each of my favourite dishes came together and where they all came from. I genuinely believe kitchens are the heart of the home and that lives can change just from sitting around a table sharing a meal because mine did at my parent’s house.
Since moving out – and especially now that I’m married – I’ve been trying to hone my cooking skills to provide the same comfort and care for the people in my life that my parents did. I’ve always wanted a recipe box full of meals and desserts that nourish your body and soul. This has led to me purchasing cookbooks and trying out new recipes that I find online to varied levels of success. Every time I try making something new, I have to remind myself that it probably won’t be amazing the first time, but that doesn’t mean I can’t try it anyway. After all, it’s only from stepping out of our comfort zone, trying something new, and making mistakes that we learn and grow.
Amidst the cookbooks, handed-down recipes, and trial and error, there’s one recipe that has been a family favourite since I was in the seventh grade. I took a foods class all through junior high, and the only recipe that I remember making in it (and the only one I know by heart) is for pancakes. I made them for my family growing up, I’ve made them for friends, and now I make them for my husband and I on weekend mornings. Every time I whisk them together, I think back to little 13-year-old Katherina, who was just so proud to finally make something all on her own for the people she loved.
You don’t have to worry; this isn’t becoming a food blog. But I did want to remind you that it’s okay to delight in feeding others. It’s okay to want to improve your cooking or baking skills. It’s okay to find joy in making things with your hands, even if they don’t always turn out. I will never be a great cook or a praiseworthy baker. But I do hope to be someone who can bring people together over steaming plates of food and help to calm anxieties with gooey cookies. I want a kitchen like my parents, full of history, love, and endless possibilities. A place of comfort and discovery. And in case you’re looking for a new pancake recipe, you can find mine below.
Simply Katherina 