An early arrival home with perfectly ripe avocados sparked a culinary whim. It had been a while since I ventured into the kitchen. While no professional, I gleaned some skills during a West African sojourn four years ago. My repertoire boasts basic omelettes, pasta dishes, and, most notably, a mean Shiro – a feat that always impressed my expat colleagues whenever I mustered the courage to cook it.

This time, inspired by the avocados, I decided to make guacamole, a simple but globally adored Mexican dip. A quick YouTube refresher felt prudent, as cooking can be deceptive. Even seemingly effortless dishes, in the hands of a pro, can morph into burnt offerings, unevenly cooked messes, or flavourless flops.

The two-minute video laid out the essentials: avocado, lime, cilantro, white onions, tomatoes, green pepper, and oregano. Improvisation became necessary – lemon for lime, red onions instead of white, green pepper subbing for cayenne, and nixing the cilantro and oregano altogether.

Further exploration on YouTube yielded conflicting advice. An American-accented chef preached seed removal from the pepper, while a Hispanic counterpart strongly advised against it. Deferring to the latter, given guacamole's roots, felt like the more culturally sensitive choice.

With clear steps, a sense of calm descended. Prep flew by in under 10 minutes, and following a plan made a world of difference. Simple details, like tempering the onion's bite in warm water, enhanced the dish. Dicing the pepper and tomatoes unlocked their flavours, while the avocados achieved the perfect chunky-smooth balance.

The guacamole was a delightful success and elevated our family dinner. Although there was a deviation from the traditional tortilla, we enjoyed it with regular bread. It was a culinary adventure and a refreshing escape from routine for me.

My guacamole adventure was a testament to the joys of hands-on activity. It served as a springboard for a broader reflection and reminded me of a friend in Germany who, despite owning a dishwasher, occasionally hand-washed dishes. His reasoning was a yearning for hands-on activity. In our automated world, dependence on machines can sever our connection to manual tasks. Cooking, cleaning, gardening – any hands-on activity – offers a delightful path to unwind and feel productive.

We usually delegate tasks due to busy schedules. Working parents rely on childcare and domestic help. Many juggle demanding jobs with essential household duties.