My Chef at Home

In light of Valentine's Day approaching, I thought it would only be appropriate to write a post about/to my own personal chef at home.

I would have to say one of the questions I get asked most often is "So who does all the cooking at your house?" and I always struggle to answer it.

The honest answer: Andrew does - he does almost all of the cooking.  

I remember in 2006 (before Andrew and I were even dating), we were just starting to strike up a friendship.  We would hang out at the restaurant where we worked, at staff parties, or I would go to his place and he would cook up a storm for me.  Advice to any single man: if you want to woo a girl - cook for her.  If we were at work and I complained of a sore throat, Andrew would whip up a hot cup of lemon, ginger, and honey tea for me.  He couldn't have been more considerate, attentive, and caring.  I felt so loved. 

One thought I remember verbalizing early in my relationship with Andrew, to Christina or Erin or Tess, was that "if I marry this guy...I'm going to eat like a queen for the rest of my life."  I couldn't have been more right! Which brings me back to the question of who does most of the cooking in our house. I think the reason I struggle to answer it is because part of me feels guilty that I have been so blessed to not only marry one of the most caring, funny, and capable men I've ever met - but also to marry a chef! I'll be the first to admit that I am spoiled rotten when it comes to meals, and for that I am forever grateful.  When I answer the question, I normally follow up with "but I'm a really good dishwasher/helper/eater". Which are all very true statements.  

Now this whole 'chef at home' thing is a bit of a double-edged sword, because my repertoire of recipes is not as vast as I would like it to be.  Don't get me wrong, I do help out.  I can fend for myself when Andrew is not home, and would consider myself to have more culinary knowledge than the average person, but I would like to know and do more. The following is a list of cooking/baking duties I am awesome at:

- Making coffee in the morning

- Making granola

- Spooning out yogurt

- Baking cookies, chocolate cake, scones etc.

- Making a mean batch of popcorn

- Cutting up any kind of vegetable or fruit

- Making a vinaigrette/dressing 

- Making grilled cheese

- Following a recipe

- Sauteing onions

- Did I mention doing dishes?!

I have learned so many skills and tricks from my handy husband. As much as I love being cooked for, this year I am hoping to take a more active role in meal-planning and preparation, and hope to document some of that journey here.

To conclude: Andrew, I love you so much. Thank you for everything you do. 

 Never ever leave me because I would starve to death.

- a