Go Figure....

[KimKelly]

So... the day starts off way too early after a way too short night. I get up, shower, get the kids dressed, showered, fed and to play group where I crawl all over the jungle gym for 2 hours chasing my one year old girl monkey! We come home and do chores before nap time. Then... nap time finally comes! And do I nap? No.... my husband is home for the first time in a week and I decide to make a nice dinner.

I pull out my Cooking Light cookbook and I decide on the Shimp Fra Diavolo. It isn't too hard to make, and goes together pretty easy and smells wonderful. I figure we should have a nice dessert, so I pull out my latest Bon Appetit and make the Pineapple, Papaya and Mango squares. This one is more labor intensive with the filling needing over an hour to simmer. Then of course there is the crust to make. But all in all the baby's two and a half hour nap time is ample to get it all done.

I serve up the dishes along with some fresh fruit to my husband and he looks at it. Samples the shrimp and says "The other kind you usually buy is better". Hmmmm. Oh well, there is always my wonderful dessert! After dinner I proudly cut up my tropical squares and place it in front of him. He looks and says "What is it?" I describe it in terms matching those of any food magazine editor! At which point he stands up and says "Maybe later..." as he heads to the fridge for a miniature cherry flavor dove bar. Hmmmmm. At least the fruit went over well!

Anyone else out there have one of this species as well???? Tomorrow... hmmmm... how about fresh stirred Hamburger helper along with a lucious Betty Croker chocolate cake? At least I really like the frosting.... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif

Kim

[Vanessa]

Hi Kim! One of those days ah?
I made pork chops, greeen beans zucchini potato salad from 5 star cookbook. I noticed my hubby was not much into the salad (he had it before and liked it) But today I was told potato salad with miracle whip tastes better....go figure. I did reveal this one had sour cream, yogurt and mayo and he swears the sour cream makes it taste "different". Personally I think it was the mayo. Last time used Hellmans today was SAfeway brand..... Oh well I guess I learn my lesson not to reveal ingredients... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
I was going to make a nectarine upside down cake but glad I didn't....

[MrsReber]

Yes!! I have one of those weird species at home! I made the Italian meatloaf and that night, he tells me it's very good. I was happy because I liked it and figured I'd make it again as a variation of our same old meatloaf (which is very good). The next night, we have leftovers and he hardly touches the meatloaf. He tells me "I actually don't like it". He suddenly hated the sundried tomatoes. Okay, fine. I also have made macaroni salad, right off the Ronzoni elbows box- it's even lower in fat. He hates macaroni salad from the local stores (pre-made) and says he always loves mine. Well, after quite a few months, he sees that there is yogurt in it. Now he says "it's weird". He's weird!! It's the same exact stuff!! Same thing with my beef stroganoff. I made it, he ate it and we fought over the leftovers. Then one night I'm making it and he says "you know, that's really not my favorite". Too bad. I shop and do just about all of the cooking. He knows where the peanut butter and jelly are if he doesn't like what's for dinner!

[Abby]

This post is hysterical! I just read the prior two posts to my husband who laughed as though he'd been in those husbands' places while I scowled at him!!! I agree....we should just make Hamburger Helper!

[KimKelly]

Thanks for making me feel so much better you guys! I thought I was the only one with one of these wierd Hamburger Helper guys. Too bad we can't all meet for a nice evening of "quality" food....

http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
Kim

[Beth H]

My husband is a very picky eater who slowly, slowly is becoming less picky (emphasis on slowly). I also have to "hide" ingredients from him. For example, I recently made CL's lemon-garlic chicken thighs, which he loved. What I didn't tell him is that the sauce contains a good bit of Worcestershire, which is something he thinks he doesn't like. So, he's asked me to make this one again soon, and I'll have to covertly throw together the sauce so that he doesn't see the Worcestershire!

[Holly S]

I have to agree with you all, and if you have one of those nights, don't you just want to punch them in the head. I just want to scream, "Hey you don't have to like it, but at least appreciate the effort!" Like I really wanted to make you something that took me several hours and have you turn your nose up at it. AAAAAAAHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Bite me! Well ladies, may all of your meals be met with some small appreciation of your efforts, in the future, tell them if they don't like it.... LIE!

[Brenda]

Hi there, Yep, I had many a day like that. I MARRIED someone like that. I'd try new recipes put my heart into it, & he would just say ,"can't we have hamburger helper?? Guess what I divorced him along time ago, I make & enjoy almost everything I want now and I am much happier!!! Yeah;-)

[Vanessa]

This thread is great! I read it to my hubby who did not say a word. Oh he actually cooked tonight and since there was leftover C L potato salad he said today tasted better (it figures!) But I must say he is not picky and will try just about anything at least once....but once in a while its one ofthose days of "its ok or well not that great"....
I enjoyed reading all the posts...we should all get together and cook whatever we feel like cooking... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[ElinorC]

I also have one of those weird species! Never, Never, reveal the ingredients of a new dish (or old one for that matter) since they will immediately decide that it's not edible even though it was acceptable before. I love all of the comments and realize that we're SAINTS!

[Angelina]

My husband will try pretty much anything. I will know if he likes something or not by his grunts of approval. If he doesn't like it, he just won't say anything, which is something I appreciate. Whenever I make something new, I just tell him so without specifying what it is. I follow certain guidelines: NO bell peppers, ONLY the breast of the chicken, preferably in small pieces, NO broccoli and Brussels sprouts, which is fine since I don't like them myself. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif
Left to his own devices? Spam!!

[SueK]

You're not alone. My husband rarely wants to try anything new. Every once in awhile he volunteers to do the cooking, and you know what he makes EVERY time? Mashed potatoes, canned peas and Shake and Bake chicken. Every time!! At least my daughter will grow up having tried a lot more foods than her dad!

[CathyPA]

Have enjoyed reading and commiserating! I could relate to something in almost every post. I have to say that it's gotten much better with my husband over the years (he use to think paprika was exotic). My really big challenge is with the kids- boy 11 and girl 9. I am on a mission not to "give in" and cook only what they like so I can get them to eat dinner. I try to include a dish or two (side or entree depending on what I'm trying out) so they aren't totally with their noses up. While it seems to work somewhat with my daughter, I have less success (just about 0) with my son. He drives me totally crazy!!!! I have never seen someone so stubborn about trying something new. It doesn't matter whether I conceal the ingredients from him or not. The only saving grace is that he seems to love soup, with combinations of vegetables that he would never eat if served outside the soup!...go figure.

Oh well, I'm going to keep plugging away. I'm also hoping that a supper club gets off the ground in my area. Was excited that there are two other people not all that far away that want to get one going. Wow, to eat with kindred/grown-ups- what a treat!

[Laura B]

My husband is generally pretty great about liking what I cook. He is surprisingly willing to try new things. However, I also have to use the tactic of not telling him what is in some of the dishes, otherwise he will not touch it no matter how much I beg! When we first got married it was a struggle to reverse his mother's unfortunate culinary influence over him - thanks to her he thought peas from a can and minute rice is what cooking is. Ugh! I don't think that now there is anything he says his mother cooks better than me, so I think I have succeeded in giving him better taste! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[KimKelly]

Laura B, your story reminded me of one from when my husband and I had just gotten married. I made green beans, just steamed and then added just a touch of seasoning. (This was one of the only things along with pasta that I could cook!). Anyway, he took one bite and made the funniest face. Of course my stomach just did a flip as I thought he hated it. Then he says "Wow! How the heck did you get so much flavor into these?" Turns out he had never had beans other than from a can, and his mom didn't believe in serving the dish until it was "cooked".... an hour or so should do for canned greeen beans! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

We've come a long way!
Kim

[CLustik]

Funny thread! It makes me realize how very lucky I am. My husband will try anything, and I can tell him exactly what is in it. He genuinely appreciates my efforts for us to eat healthier and even if something doesn't float his boat, he will just say it's not his favorite, but eat it anyway. ThenI know not to make it again.

I fear he is spoiling me for dealing with kids though. Keep trying ladies.

[CATHIEA]

Take heart ladies, many they are trainable, at least foodwise, IF you keep at it. My husband used to be a picky eater, but I started making the making of new recipes more of a "game" or "challenge" for BOTH of us, and voila, he bought in and is now a most enthusiastic audience for my cooking experiments. If he doesn't care for something, he will say something, "well, we WON"T see that agin?" in a very plaintative voice and so we don't. There are too many really great recipes out there that I haven't tried yet, I don't need to repeat what he doesn't care for.
CathieA

[lindrusso]

I'm happy to say that I'm among those who have an "easy-to-please" hubbie. Right before we got married, I decided to stop eating meat and proceeded to cook ONLY vegetarian meals (meat just repulsed me) for the next 9 years or so. He was soooooo tolerant! I think that cooking vegetarian actually made me a much better cook because I couldn't fall back on the easy things like throwing a steak or hamburger on the grill. I had to be more creative and adventurous in seasonings.

My husband used dislike like anything green but has come around - he won't actually admit to liking them (broccoli, green beans, etc.), but he will eat them and even enjoys them sometimes. Still can't get him to touch a lima bean though....

Now I do eat and cook meat (although I still wont' touch most beef and stick mostly with chicken), so I'm sure that my husband is happier even though he never complained when I didn't.

[MaryB]

This is a great topic! My husband is pretty good about trying things, but I've learned not to say what's in a dish unless asked. Usually if he asks its because he likes it.

My son is a very picky eater! With him I usually tell him what the main ingredients are in a new dish ... at least those that he can pick out. I have a great story about him. This past week, my mother made him a birthday cake with lemon frosting. Then she colored some of the frosting pink and wrote "Happy Birthday" on the cake. He then claimed he didn't like the flavor of the pink frosting so Grandma told him to scrap it off. But the white frosting (the majority of the frosting was white) was fine! Go figure!

[Elisabeth]

This topic and the posts make me laugh! I'd been thinking I was all alone in trying to cook for a picky grown-up. My husband hates all beans except green, all pastas except spaghetti, cream cheese and sour cream, and a seemingly endless and always growing larger list of spices and flavorings--including cumin and rosemary and garlic. This basically means that Mexican and Italian cuisines are out entirely. If he had his way, we'd have a piece of meat (chicken, fish, or pork chop--no herbs please!), a pile of potatoes (mashed or boiled only), and a little side salad for dinner (he hates salad dressing, so he smears mayo on his lettuce; it's actually not that bad! But it certainly grossed me out when I first saw him do it!!) every night! I call it white cuisine. He's gotten A LOT better, but there's still room for improvement! For a long time his lackluster response to what I think is pretty fine cooking was a huge disappointment. The most I could hope for was a grunt--that means he likes it! But I'm coming to realize that although he's the guinea pig for all my recipes, I really must be doing this more for myself than for him--because I keep on cooking meals that I really enjoy cooking and eating (trying to be sensitive to his many dislikes but not being straitjacketed by them) and I refuse to give in to all-white meals! I think what I really need is a supper club, too!

It is good to know from several of you that there is still a possibility for more improvement. I read somewhere that a child needs to be exposed to a new food many, many times (can't remember the exact number, but it was a lot) before they can like it--so I try to treat my husband's sensitive palate like I would a child's. Puree, puree, puree is the only solution. (It's amazing how many beans you can hide if you put them in the blender first--or how many cream-cheese based dishes you can serve if you hotly deny that any cream cheese came near that sauce.)

[Susann]

This is a great post and one which I can completely relate to. Remember-I am the one who serves my husband grits (which he says he hates) and calls them polenta (which he raves about). Judging from all these responses, I think it must be something in the y chromosome! But I am quickly learning there are ways around it...

EXHIBIT A-Yesterday I made Gail's eggplant puree. He 'hates' eggplant. Eggplant puree became vegetable puree and he loved it.

EXHIBIT B-He will not eat anything with feta cheese. I just tell him it is montrachet, chevre, or even cream cheese and he is hunky dory!!!

EXHIBIT C-He will not eat beans either-except for garbanzos. I haven't figured a way how to sneak dark colored beans (kidneys, black, etc.)into our meals, but I cook all the time now with light color beans and then tell him it has garbanzos in it!

I figure that maybe on our 10th anniversary (which is 8 1/2 years away!) I will tell him what a sneaky wife he has, but until then I will think of creative ways to trick him!!

[Kristilyn1]

Great posts!

My husband is not picky unless you count not liking yogurt, cream cheese or sour cream picky. I can cook with it in small amounts--but dessert--forget it. My husband will try anything I cook and love it, but he will rave the same for a pizza from the delivery place. Every time we go someplace and I run around trying to make something creative and delicious to take he will invariably say--"I don't know why you go to so much trouble"....

Kristi

[karen w]

I too am one of the lucky ones. My husband will eat anything I cook without regard to particular ingredient likes or dislikes. He loves when I experiment, and enjoys being the guinea pig. He always encourages me with anything I do in the kitchen or out! He has very few dislikes, and fortunately we agree on most of them-beets and liver to name a few. Now if I were only so lucky with the kids. Well, I'll just keep trying.....

[food girl]

Susan,
I think you are off to an excellent start! My husband and I have tested each other with food that we each hate. He fed me a "golden beet" in a 4 star restaurant. I thought it was a potato...until I started gagging.
I brought home Indian food (pureed eggplant) and he could tell by the SMELL that it was eggplant! Does eggplant have a smell?

[MrsReber]

Excellent, Susan! You are an inspiration to those of us with picky husbands! My husband will try just about anything, but he doesn't always like things. And, as I posted before, he will like something one day and then decide he doesn't like it the next day. Weirdo. Last night I made something new and didn't tell him anything that was in it. My husband, too, claims to hate eggplant. Well, he ate it last night without question in the dish I prepared. He also eats it if I mix it in with veggies and cook them on the grill. He did get a good laugh out of you tricking your husband with polenta, though!

[bookworm]

I have tried several CL dishes which my boyfriend liked (or at least he said he did) and there were several he didn't (vidalia onion risotto) but I can't complain about things he cooks for fear that he will stop cooking. He even suggested one night that I cook hamburger helper instead of trying a new recipe. Go figure. Hear, Hear to the peanut butter and jelly!

[LKingsford815]

Whenever I make Hamburger Helper, my husband thinks I'm a qourmet cook..... It's a good thing I like MY OWN cooking!!!!!!!!!

[MrsReber]

Okay, not to beat a dead horse (although maybe my husband would've preferred a dead horse??). I made the creamy caesar salad last night for about the fifth time. The first time, my husband LOVED it and ate most of the salad. He loved it again the next few times. So I made it yesterday and I told him if he wanted to start eating, the salad was ready. He said to me "I don't think I like that." Huh???? I asked why. He said "is that the stuff with the anchovy paste? That stuff is weird". Well, he did eat it, but he said he had a hard time getting over the anchovy paste. And he has known since the first time I made it that it is made with anchovy paste. I wanted to smack him in the head!! This is a man who will hunt, gut, and butcher his own deer, geese, and other fowl, AND fish, but for some reason, anchovy paste grosses him out. Too bad. Next time, I'll just tell him I left it out!

[BarbaraL]

What a great thread! I can relate -- last night, I made the corn and zucchini saute from June that everyone raved about. It was wonderful, just as everyone said. Naturally, 13-year old daughter wouldn't touch it; husband ate it, but commented it was "alright" but there was a taste in it he didn't like (he doesn't know what taste he doesn't like; my guess is the cilantro). Well, I loved it, so all the leftovers are mine! A couple of years ago, my store routinely had catfish at a great price, so I cooked it several times. Husband finally said he didn't like catfish. Then he came back from a trip to Mississippi raving about catfish. When I asked how it was prepared, he said it was batter-dipped and deep fat fried. Of course he liked it -- there could have been ANYTHING in that batter, it's like an enormous french fry! In his defense, I do want to know if he doesn't like something (UNLESS I love it, why make something he doesn't like)? In this, as in many things, Timing is everything!

[Shirley Panek]

Oh, man, I am just falling off my chair! I'd have to agree with the wives who have husbands who say they like something and then turn around later or the next day and say they don't like it. I don't try to hide any ingredients, but I certainly don't volunteer if I think he'll turn up his nose!

If my husband cooked we'd probably be living off of Lipton noodles and Hamburger Helper. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

I'm trying a rating system, so that I don't get miffed when he comes back and says he doesn't really like something.

Thanks for a great post!