[Today's Menu] Chicken with Sweet Vinegar Scallion Tartar | "I'm sorry" was not a peace treaty

Good work today, everyone. It's your pal here.

At night, while scrubbing the sink with a sponge, I suddenly found myself ruminating on the day's events.
My 3-year-old son.
He is currently in the middle of the rough seas of what is known as the "terrible twos" (or threes), but if you unravel the history of his "reactions when scolded,"
you can see an astonishingevolution of survival strategiesthere.

This isn't just simple selfishness.
It is a story of wisdom and courage forged by a single human being to stand up against an unreasonable giant (Daddy).

Season 1: [The State of Nothingness/Blocking Phase]

Around the time he started to understand language, when he was scolded, he would resort to the extreme technique of"shutting down his five senses." The moment Daddy said, "That's not allowed!", he would instantly stare into the void and pretend not to hear. He would even start humming happily.
I was stunned, thinking, "His mental strength is too high...", but I realize now that it was his own defensive wall.

Season 2: [The Great Flood/Physical Attack Phase]

Realizing that "ignoring won't help him escape," the next thing he chose was"washing everything away with tears." It wasn't about logic. He would just cry at the top of his lungs. He would roll on the floor and use gravity to his advantage to throw a tantrum. It was an era of brute force, where he would stage a "poor me" act to deal direct damage to Daddy's conscience.

Season 3: [The Amateur Detective/Playing Dumb Phase]

The weapon he acquired once he learned to speak was"obvious lies."
With his mouth smeared with chocolate, he would say with a straight face, "I didn't eat it?"
In the middle of a room scattered with toys, he would insist, "It just fell on its own." Seeing him claim innocence despite all the evidence being there was like watching a third-rate suspense drama.

Season 4: [The Sophistry Phase]

As his intelligence grew, he learned the magic of"shifting responsibility."
If I said, "Clean this up," he would snap back, "I was just about to do it, but because you told me to, I lost the motivation!"
If I said, "Don't hit your sister!", he would say, "My hand just hit her on its own," treating his own body as a separate entity.
Even his 5-year-old sister was dumbfounded by this.
This was around the time Daddy's blood pressure started to rise.

Season 5: [The Cunning Boy Phase]

This was the most troublesome one. The moment he was about to be scolded, he would change his tactics.
He would look up with teary eyes and say,"Daddy, I love you♡" while hugging me. A cowardly yet ultimate finishing move that forcibly melts the target of anger with "love."
How many times was I deceived by this technique and lost the timing to get angry? He had completely grasped my weaknesses.

Season 6: [Awakening/Self-Reflection Phase (Current)]

And today, a new season finally began. The moment I made eye contact with him after he had done something mischievous, he didn't cry, lie, or hug me. Instead, he said this in a small voice.

"...I'm sorry. I won't do it again."

I thought time had stopped. It was the moment he acknowledged his "own fault," imagined "another person's feelings," and courageously chose"apology."
He, who had been fooling around so much until now, suddenly showed his face as a "human being."

I was happy. I was even moved, thinking, "Oh, now we can finally communicate."

......But you know what?

That emotion only lasted for three minutes.The moment I looked away, a disturbing sound of "Crash! Bang!" echoed from the living room. When I hurriedly turned around, I saw an unbelievable sight.

He was tossing the precious dolls that my older daughter had lined up, telling him, 'You absolutely must not touch these! They are the most important things!' into the air with a huge grin on his face.

A blue-green object dancing in the air.
A half-fish, half-human creature with round eyes rolling on the floor.
Yes, it's Sanrio's 'Hangyodon,' which my daughter loves more than anything.
That goofy face, usually full of sorrow, is now rolling on the floor looking even more sorrowful.

Before the ink on his 'I won't do it again' had even dried, he was already trashing his sister's precious territory.
When he caught my eye, he didn't look guilty at all, just returned to his 'Season 1 (ignoring)' face.

I see. It never ends.
'I'm sorry' isn't the finish line. It was just a 'break time'.

The battle with my son is far from over.
To survive such a long-term war, I need to build up my own stamina.

Today's 'Dareyame' (evening drink) menu

Being moved, being betrayed, and laughing again. What supports these roller-coaster emotions is 'Sweet Vinegar Rakkyo Tartar Chicken'.

Hidden within the childish sweetness (tartar) is an adult acidity (rakkyo). It's just like my son, who is never easy to deal with. I wrap the chicken in the gentleness of Dashimaro vinegar, and with the 'crunch' of the rakkyo, I fuel my fighting spirit for tomorrow.

Now, before the gong for the 7th round rings, let's have a meal.

How to make

[Ingredients] (Serves 2-3)

• Chicken thigh: 1 piece (300g)

  • A father's capacity (fat) to accept no matter how many times he's betrayed.

• Salt and pepper: a pinch

• Cake flour: as needed

• Dashimaro vinegar: 3 tablespoons

  • Magic water that smooths over chaotic parenting.

• Salad oil: 1 teaspoon

[Rakkyo Tartar for the incorrigible man]

• Momoya's Hana Rakkyo: about 8 pieces

  • More is better. Life needs stimulation. Chop coarsely.

• Mayonnaise: 3 tablespoons

• Pickling liquid from flower shallots: 2 teaspoons

  • This liquid is the key to the flavor. Don't throw it away.

• Ajinomoto (MSG): 2 shakes

  • Umami without any logic.

• Salt and pepper: a pinch

• Parsley: if available

[Steps]

1. Dialogue (Preparation) Even out the thickness of the chicken and season with salt and pepper. When coating with cake flour, do it gently and carefully, as if stroking your son's head. (While chanting to yourself, "I won't be fooled next time.")

2. Friction (Cooking) Heat oil in a frying pan and cook over medium heat, starting with the skin side down. The sizzling sound is the sound of daily parent-child clashes. Be patient and don't touch it until the skin is crispy. Flip it over and cook through to the center.

3. Reconciliation (Seasoning) Lightly wipe off excess oil and add the dashi-mellow vinegar. Steam containing acidity rises all at once. Simmer and coat until the sauce thickens and the entire piece of meat shines brilliantly. (Only in the moment this glaze appears, I feel like peace has arrived.)

4. Complexity (Making the sauce) Mix the chopped shallots, mayonnaise, and pickling liquid together. The chunky shallots mix into the white, sweet mayonnaise. The coexistence of smoothness and foreign objects. This is the current state of my home.

5. Gong (Plating) Pour the tartar sauce generously over the chicken on the plate. Let's consume those calories and prepare for tomorrow's battle.

Time to eat

The juicy fat of the chicken, the mellow acidity of the dashi vinegar. Layered on top is the pleasant, crisp rhythm of the scallions. The flavor changes with every bite, making it almost a shame to swallow.

To you, who were able to say "I'm sorry." And to you, who three minutes later tossed your sister's precious Hangyodon into the air.

I guess I can't win against you after all. But after eating this chicken, I think I'll be ready to scold you with all my might and play with you with all my might again tomorrow.

Good work today, everyone.

If you want to see the Dareyame recipes quickly, click here👇