Yr.2, Day 230-231 - Cooking Irony

I grew up with a Mom who cooked from her head. She did not generally follow recipes, unless she was baking. I assumed this was how everyone cooked. I even cooked for crowds as the head cook at a camp, only using recipes for very specific desserts or baked goods.

When I started hanging out with my husband's family,I noticed that his Mom almost always used a recipe. After I married, I began experimenting more in the kitchen, following recipes and trying to be a "fancy"cook.

Most consider me a good cook. I enjoy cooking, but not baking. Every week, I try a new recipe, whether from a cook book or a magazine. Despite preparing some impressive meals over the years, my husband is not a complimenter in this department. He could likely be trained, but it's difficult to teach an old dog new tricks. I should have began the training much earlier in our marriage. It's not that he's not grateful, but rather is embarrassed to compliment the cook. Ironically, he loves to eat and eat well.

We have been having unseasonably cooler temperatures this week. It feels like winter came back with a vengeance and so I had planned to cook a big pot of chili to warm our insides. I was browning the ground meat and onions, when I received a phone call to pick up my ill daughter from rowing early. I had planned to use that time (30 min) to run to the grocery store for a can of tomatoes and to prepare the chili, as I had to leave to sing a concert by a specific time. I knew the chili could not happen, but what was I going to do with this meat?

I decided to throw some things together, willy nilly. I threw in some garlic, parsley, orzo, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, mushrooms, peppers and wondered if it could possibly be edible. I had my son turn off the pot while I picked up my daughter. When I returned home, Mr. I eat nothing, claimed it was very tasty, despite the onions and mushrooms. I should have suspected a miracle at that moment, but I hadn't yet clued into what was to come.

I reheated my creation, added some cream and arrowroot powder as a thickener and prayed for the best. My family ate as I prepared for the concert and as I came into the kitchen, my husband said, "This recipe is a keeper. I really enjoyed this!" My daughter agreed wholeheartedly.

I seriously questioned whether or not this dish would be edible and my husband actually complimented it. Oh, the irony! So funny.

Tomorrow is an Easter brunch at church and then Easter dinner at my in laws house. Last year, I only ate fruit at the brunch, and this year will be a repeat. I plan not to indulge in any desserts for Easter lunch either. I will also so no to MIL's homemade rolls, which don't seem to make anyone else in that family fat! It's just not worth it - I've got to get where I am going. There will always be other Easters where I can moderately enjoy a piece of Easter Paska, but not this year.

Eating less, moving more,

Dawne