Cooking

My youngest son wanted to cook the vegetables, without my assistance. But, he didn't quite know how to go about it. I gave some advice: - get the vegetable steamer, add a couple of inches of water. Put it on the stove with 'medium' heat, and put the broccoli in the steamer. Set the timer for about ten minutes and check to see whether they're done.

Ten minutes later...

Son: Dad, they're not cooked.
Dad: Ok, add another five minutes. Reset the timer.
Dad thinking: Maybe he added too much water, or had the heat too low

Five minutes later:

Son: Dad, they're STILL not cooked.
Dad: Hmm. I can smell them, maybe they are cooked?
Son: I don't think so.
Dad: Ok, tell you what get a fork. Stick it in 'em and if it doesn't stick then they *are* cooked.
Son: Well, ok.

1 minute later:

Son: Dad, they're NOT cooked.
Dad: Hmm. This is strange, I can smell them, and usually when you can smell them, they're done. Let's see.

Dad gets off his dairy air and saunters into the kitchen.

Dad: Well, there's your problem! You're supposed to put the lid on the vegetable steamer :-)

Son: Oh..

Live an learn. An example of assumptions. I *assumed* my son, having seen me prepare vegetables countless times would know to put the lid on....