I have a confession. I tend to forget that I have things on the stove. Most of the time I realize before anything goes awry. Other times I end up with a mess. The other day I forgot I was steaming apples in the kitchen. I didn't remember until I had a smelly reminder. E was in her crib sleeping. Then I freaked out! I freaked out because the pan that held the water was Teflon and Teflon should NOT get too hot or it is very dangerous. For one thing, my bird could drop dead from the fumes.
The house smelled terrible. Eliza needed to eat her lunch so I threw open all the windows and took her outside to eat. I was in tears because I was angry with myself. I felt terrible. I called my husband to tell him what I had done. I made him google Teflon to see what he oculd find about health risks. I wan't happy with what he told me but I managed to calm myself down. We went to the park and ran some errands. I didn't go back to the house for three hours. I felt dizzy, had a headache and a nosebleed in the interim. E seemed fine as I don't think the fumes had reached her bedroom upstairs. When we got home Zazu was still alive and chirping so I can only hope it wasn't as terrible as it seemed at the time.
This isn't the first time I have made this mistake. I usually set a kitchen timer to remind myself I am cooking. I threw out the horrible Teflon pan. But now I need to figure out some safer alternatives. This morning I stumbled upon a post a Safe Mama that was very helpful to me. Although I can't afford to replace all of my cookware- it isn't all Teflon anyway- this post gave me some ideas for safer alternatives.
Am I the only absentminded cooker?
Saturday, October 11, 2008
A Cook's Confession
Posted by Danielle at 10/11/2008
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9 comments:
I'm forgetful too, but usually with the toaster oven. Thankfully we have one that automatically sets a timer when you turn it on, and it shuts off when the timer goes off. I'll come back to burnt toast or whatever I'm heating up all the time. I have left the oven on before after taking food out.
We moms have too much to remember!
Heck no! I forget silly stuff all of the time!
Nope...you are not!! I HAVE to set my timer or I'll totally forget that I have something on or in the oven...one time I was boiling a soother to sterilize it and I totally forgot and when I came back into the kitchen all the water had boiled out and it was melting to the pot!! Not cool!! Oh well...
I am not a huge cooker, but I am definitely spacy when it comes to cooking. You sure aren't alone.
I have burned far too many things in my lifetime! And I always feel terrible because I was really trying to be good by cooking in the first place, and then to have my feeble attempts ruined, along with the guilt - absolutely terrible... :)
I love my cast iron pan, though. I want to buy lots more. I guess it's not necessary for boiling water, but it is wonderful for sauteing and frying and grilling.
you're too funny!!!!
you're too funny!!!!
I've had many moments like this, but we don't have any Teflon. I have ruined a pan or two though. I was really bad when I was pregnant. I was making an all-day on the stove recipe and never turned the eye on. I washed a bag of rice in the dishwasher once.
I'm sometimes forgetful, especially when it comes to things, like sauces, I should be watching. I completely ruined a pan and a glaze to go over salmon I was baking because the stove was too hot.
I'm glad things weren't as bad as they seemed! Hopefully it won't happen again!
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