I was not one of those daughters who would spend hours helping her mom in the kitchen. Instead, I would come in the kitchen to eat, was made to stay to clear the table and do dishes, and wouldn’t really return until the next meal. Now my mom IS a good cook, but think more Betty Crocker than Gordon Ramsay. I just wasn’t all that interested in learning how to make shake and bake pork chops or meat loaf. You can even ask my husband who would tell you what we ate the first year we were married. He’d say, “Why, penne with jarred sauce in a bowl, of course!”. AT LEAST four nights out of the week we would eat this. Now, you can give me a teensy weensy bit of credit because I did sprinkle cayenne pepper on it to give it a little “zing” but then take the credit back because all that time I had no idea how to cook my pasta “al dente”. You get the picture though. Cooking was not my forte, nor did I want it to be.
Now, at this time I should mention that my best friend in the world is married to a four star (I’m sure it’s probably supposed to be labeled something much more prestigious) chef who I have always secretly admired. He had me awestruck when my bff and he came to my apartment to make my then boyfriend (now husband) and I dinner for our birthdays. See, my bff’s birthday is the day after mine. I think I had two pots I bought at Rite Aid in my kitchen cabinet. I mean it. One was a two quart saucepan and the other was a small skillet. Bless his heart he prepared the most delicious filet mignon I have ever tasted. He whipped up a chocolate souffle with chocolate gelato (imported from Italy) in the center. I am SO not a dessert person and I have to say that this was TO DIE FOR. The lesson I learned that night was to never wear your skinny jeans to a feast prepared by Chef V again. Oh, and that you don’t need the best tools if you have the skills. It was something that I think eventually gnawed at me like a challenge I couldn’t refuse. So, for the past couple years I have enjoyed trying new recipes. I like to savor the taste of things and am trying to train my palate. I hope to be considered a respectable cook (if not chef!) one day. Or in the very least, cook a meal for Chef V and not have him spit it out with disappointment and disgust! Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t cook delicious, gourmet food every night. Heck sometimes the kids eat cereal and my husband and I will fend for ourselves, but I love it when I do – as does my husband. As I perfect my proficiency of all things “kitchen” I promise to share if I come across something especially delicious or helpful!
