Some random reviews from my mountain weekend

[emilycat]

Well, I've discovered of late that my boyfriend has mournfully dysfunctional taste buds. He does not like dishes with more than a few ingredients. He does not like things with stems. He does not like mustard, soy sauce, or virtually any other condiment save ketchup, and he despises most sauces of any kind. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif
So when he's told me he likes things simply prepared, I interpreted that as "simple," not "plain."
Well, I've finally gotten the point.
Okay, my boyfriend's tragic flaw is not the point of this message.
We went to my aunt's mountain house in Highlands, N.C., this weekend, and the two dinners we had were excellent, so I wanted to share.

First night, I made the Lemon-Basil Halibut that Beth H posted from Epicurious. We both loved it (although BF's was just grilled with the viniagrette brushed on, and mine was drizzled over it at the end, as well.)
Along with that, I made an Orzo with Green Onions and Parmesan recipe sneezles provided from Epicurious as well, but I used a little basil and lemon juice instead of the green onions. It was cooked in chicken broth, and it was absolutely awesome. We also used Missi's Grilled Asparagus recipe, and it was equally delicious.

Second night -- I made Firecracker shrimp, also courtesy of sneezles (for myself, BF hated the marinade, so I just grilled his with olive oil and black pepper). It was so, so good. I served it over whole wheat angel hair and made a tomato-basil sauce for BF's naked noodles.

Last day, I made myself the Grilled Eggplant and Green Tomato Sandwich from the June issue -- it was so yummy, although I did roast instead of grill, used some incredible bleu cheese I had on hand instead of the goat cheese, and I used this hearty grain bread from Whole Foods instead of Sourdough.

So y'all came in very handy for me this weekend! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif



[This message has been edited by emilycat (edited 06-20-2001).]

[gertdog]

Emilycat,

It all sounds lovely! Thanks for the review of the eggplant and tomato sandwich... I'm looking forward to trying that one.

As for your boyfriend's tragic flaw http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif, don't despair too much. Five years ago, my fiance was suspicious of most things I made. Tofu? Not a chance. Mushrooms? Sketchy. Broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower? Big no. Definitely no mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup etc., and god forbid I pour any unidentifiable mixture over any food. Tomato sauce was okay, but that was the ONLY thing okay for pasta.

Today the only things on the above list that he won't eat are mayonnaise and cauliflower. I haven't forced anything on him, but somehow here we are, eating foods that he didn't previously enjoy, but now we both enjoy! Keep making what you enjoy, and I bet you'll find *some*, if not a lot of change in what he eats.

[BethH]

Ooooh--So glad you both liked the fish recipe. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif We thought it was delicious as well!

My question is...how can a self-professed lover of condiments deal with such a tragic flaw?? I'm just kidding--you already seem to be coping extremely well.

I once dated a man with a love of ground beef--anytime he would surprise me with dinner--the main ingredient was ground beef. The worst part of this was that he would buy the cheapest available and it was always super greasy. Yuck! I always ate it with a smile and told him it was so thoughtful of him to cook for me. Ugh--the things we do for love. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[SusieO]

Well, look at it this way, Emily: at least you don't have to share your condiments!

Thanks for the reviews! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[SandyM]

Thanks for the reviews, Emily. I've been wanting to try the Lemon-Basil Halibut, but my DH doesn't eat seafood. When my parents come to town this weekend (for a week), that's a great opportunity. Sounds great with the Orzo dish also.

Regarding food affinities - my DH used to believe the only vegetables worthy of his consumption were french-cut green beans (out of a can) and corn (out of a can). Now he'll eat any vegetable, and merely turns up his nose at asparagus - imagine that! And I've started him on eating frozen vegetables as opposed to canned, when fresh isn't available.

As long as your DB didn't dump ketchup on the halibut, I think there's hope! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[BlueMoose]

Emily...
Sorry, I'm getting a chuckle out of your post! Luckily, my DH will eat anything I put in front of him. However, cooking for your boyfriend sounds like trying to cook for my daughter! She wants everything plain all of the time and hates trying new foods unless they are a dessert. She dissects everything on her plate to find any offending substances. One time I made a casserole with a variety of spices in it and she pointed to something in it and said "is this a bug?" I said "no" and she said "yes it is, it has wings". Why do I even bother!?

Anyway, my advice to you...If he's a keeper, just cook what you like for yourself, and make a cheese sandwich for him (go to the store and buy some Kraft Singles)! That way you will both be happy.

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

[Tina_B]

Emilycat, Don't despair over the BF food issues - trust me, they change with time and exposure. In the first couple months when I was dating my now DH, he wanted to make me dinner. He decided on spagetti and I sat back to watch. All of a sudden the ketchup bottle comes out and he squirts a whole pile into the sauce. I inquired into what he was doing and he told me that's how he makes it red. If I recall, it was also thickened with cornstarch. This is how his mom taught him. His culinary skills and tastes have changed dramatically, but we still laugh over that one.

[Linda in MO]

Originally posted by Tina_B:
Emilycat, Don't despair over the BF food issues - trust me, they change with time and exposure. In the first couple months when I was dating my now DH, he wanted to make me dinner. He decided on spagetti and I sat back to watch. All of a sudden the ketchup bottle comes out and he squirts a whole pile into the sauce. I inquired into what he was doing and he told me that's how he makes it red. If I recall, it was also thickened with cornstarch. This is how his mom taught him. His culinary skills and tastes have changed dramatically, but we still laugh over that one.

That's hilarious! No wonder he never lived it down! So my question to you is...have you ever eaten his mother's cooking and how is it?! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[browneye]

Emily- Thanks so much for the reviews! Somehow I missed the Halibut recipe, and I am very glad you highlighted it- also I've been wondering about that Eggplant sandwich, and just haven't gotten around to making it yet...

Don't despair, there is hope for your DB! The above stories are hysterical...I remember when my mother married my stepfather, like 30 years ago (!) all he would eat was this noodle stuff with ground beef kinda like hamburger helper over mashed potatoes. That and meat loaf.He would eat no fish, no chicken, no vegetables except canned green beans, no lasagne, no Mexican, etc.
Slowly but surely he evolved. Today he absolutely loves everything, especially my cooking which is highly adventurous! He requests salmon, my lasagne, my fajitas, my Chicken Cacciatore!! Unbelievable. And, you know, it really only took him a few years to open up. SO keep the faith! If your DB has otherwise excellent qualities, there is always hope. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif
Take care, sounds like you had a wonderful weekend.

[emilycat]

Y'all are making me feel so much better. So you're saying tastebuds are not relentlessly stubborn? It's just so hard for me to relate, because I've always loved nearly everything. In a moment of boredom the other day, I made a list (okay, I'm a list freak, too http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif ) of the foods that I don't like. It had all of about 5 things on it: Method of preparation when I'm not doing the cooking is a whole other issue, though, so we won't go there.... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

At least DB likes most veggies and fruits -- he just doesn't like anything on them. I'll just see how long this lasts http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Lynn B]

Emily,

Your weekend sounds fun! Thanks for sharing your menus w/ us!

I did a search for the Orzo with Green Onions and Parmesan and came up with nothing. I missed that recipe the first time it debuted, apparently! Can you please share?

Many thanks!
Lynn

[pmmahan]

What an incredible food weekend! i think you can wean BF into condiments....otherwise, just all the more for you!
I love epicurious! Such a wealth of recipes.
I think I'll do a search for that firecracker shrimp. YUM.
Thanks for sharing!

[pmmahan]

Originally posted by emilycat:
In a moment of boredom the other day, I made a list (okay, I'm a list freak, too http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif ) of the foods that I don't like. It had all of about 5 things on it: Method of preparation when I'm not doing the cooking is a whole other issue, though, so we won't go there.... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

At least DB likes most veggies and fruits -- he just doesn't like anything on them. I'll just see how long this lasts http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Emilycat- I am a listmaker, too! I make lists of lists! You should have seen me when I was planning my wedding - lists everywhere! I was in heaven! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Yes, DB will come around with all that fantastic cooking. Maybe he just hasn't been exposed to it!

[emilycat]

Lynn, here's the thread it's on -- LaraW provided the link on a thread last week: http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/Forum1/HTML/006705.html

[SQ]

Lynn, I couldn't find it either on a BB or Archive search. But I did get it on a search on epicurious.com. Here's the recipe:

ORZO PILAF WITH GREEN ONIONS AND PARMESAN CHEESE


This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.
The rice-shaped pasta orzo is sometimes labeled riso or rosamarina.

3 1/4 cups (or more) canned low-salt chicken broth
1 pound orzo (rice-shaped pasta)
5 green onions, thinly sliced
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Bring 3 1/4 cups broth to boil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Mix in orzo and simmer uncovered until just tender but still firm to bite and some broth still remains, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat. Add green onions and cheese and stir to blend. Season pilaf to taste with salt and pepper. Rewarm over low heat, if necessary, and mix in more broth by 1/4 cupfuls if pilaf is dry. Transfer pilaf to large bowl and serve.

Serves 6.

Bon Appétit
April 1999
Brad Avooske, Chico CA
Too Busy To Cook?

[Jewel]

Emily, you crack me up! Opposites attract in many ways, but food? That could get hairy in my household. I was lucky enough to find a man who's very adventurous and loves variety, and will try anything I put in front of him. He may not LOVE everything, but he'll try it. Of course, sometimes I tell him what's in it AFTER he tastes it... like the time I was on the Atkins Diet and couldn't 'bread' the chicken breasts in breadcrumbs (carbs) so I had to bread them in crushed pork rinds. I got a really strange look when I told him later what he was eating! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif

My ex, however, was infuriating. I would spend ALL DAY seasoning and cooking a roast beef to perfection. A dash of this, a pinch of that until I was certain that it made the taste buds dance with just the right amount of rhythm. I would place this plate in front of him lovingly...and he would grab the jar of horseradish and dump a couple of blobs right on top of my perfect roast. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/rolleyes.gif Men!!

[kwormann]

Originally posted by pmmahan:
Emilycat- I am a listmaker, too! I make lists of lists! You should have seen me when I was planning my wedding - lists everywhere! I was in heaven! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

\

listmaker checking in here.....I am awake an hour early today because I decided not to make a list of things for today and I couldnt sleep....my supper club was here last weekend and was teasing me about the big board hanging on my kitchen wall with the weeks meal plans....

[masimmons]

Emily, My husband sounds like your boyfriend in terms of 'plain food'. We will be married 10 years next Sunday and he while he has broadened his food horizons a little bit in the last decade, the list of things he won't eat is still too long (IMHO). He does try many things I make as long as they don't have mayo, mushrooms, too much vinegar, sauces, or raw peppers....

[food girl]

Emily,

I never took my DH's food like/dislikes into account when we were dating. We didn't cook that much but he did have a very varied diet and he actually introduced me to new foods.

When I am cooking dinner - or if he just smells garlic sauteing - he comes and wraps his arms around me from behind and does this full-body hug neck-nuzzle thing. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif It just adds so much joy to cooking to know how much he appreciates it.

Knowing how you feel about food and cooking there is bound to be some guy out there who would do the same for you.

Lisa

[AD]

I am the same way as your boyfriend. (Perhaps it's more common among males.) Anyway, I never eat anything with onions or garlic. Other than lettuce, potatoes, tomatoes and carrots, I won't touch any fruits or vegetables. (They either taste bad or cause miserable abdominal distention.) I never eat any condiments except tomato sauce (made only of crushed tomatoes, tomato paste and basil) and ketchup. The smell of any salad dressing or mayonnaise makes me gag. I don't eat any cream based sauces or spicy foods. I never use citrus flavors, nuts or dried fruit in any baked good. If that isn't bad enough, I eliminate all spices from recipes except cinnamon and ginger in baked goods, and I even reduce those drastically.

[emilycat]

AD, thank you. You've made my boyfriend look adventurous http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif