I have to tell someone. Ken already knows, so it is not like any big surprise to him, but I am feeling the need to gloat, brag, express, share...
I can seriously cook. No, seriously! Not being egotistical or anything, seriously. But: I. Can. Cook.
Ken said he wanted a cheeseburger tonight. We toyed with going out, but frankly, with us both dieting and being super careful about what we eat, I just could not stomach the idea of going somewhere where I had no control over what I was or was not really eating. I made him a mushroom Swiss burger that smelled and (he said tasted) fabulous. I even sauteed the mushrooms for him in red chili infused olive oil and ended them in a balsamic reduction. I do not know how I know how to do this, but apparently I do.
I, on the other hand, did not want a burger. I did not know what I wanted. So I started puttering in the kitchen. I swear, it is one of my most favorite things to do. Putter in the kitchen. I started with cutting up some red bell pepper and putting it in a bowl with red wine vinegar and some kosher salt -- just for munching while I puttered. Then it came to me. I had seen Ellie Krieger do a sweet potato hash on the food network this morning and figured I would give it a shot -- ad libbing of course. Heaven forbid I go pull up a recipe. After a little of this and a little of that, and a sprinkled topping of low fat shredded cheddar -- O. My. Gosh! I CAN COOK! This stuff was amazing. Can't wait to make it again.
Our plates looked as different as they would have had we gone out to eat. He had a burger, sweet potato fries and some red pepper/tomato/blue cheese salad and I had the has, with some of the tomatoes and some steamed zucchini. My plate was colorful and bright and interesting looking, and his looked like good ol' comfort food.
I find that now that I am paying better attention to what we eat, our food is yummier, fresher, tastier and the best part is that I am eating it and still down more than 40 pounds. I prefer to cook at home than to eat out at this point. For lots of reasons, but more and more, because I know what I make at home will just taste better. Oh! And the calories I burn while I am cooking give my workouts a run for their money. Gotta love that.
Anyway, I had to share this with you all, because, honestly, there are not a lot of things I do that I feel this good about. But tonight's dinner just confirmed what I have suspected all along -- I can COOK!
5 comments:
Um, yes you can. Both my folks told me before we got married how lucky I was that you were such a good cook!
I admit, I like the extra control with eating at home and the fact that it just tastes so much better is an added bonus!
Amy, your forte in the kitchen is something I've known for a very, very long time. :) What I love best is your ability to just whip something up in minutes!
Very very cool. I love cooking also but I'm not big on veggies so the variety isn't there. I'm just happy that you are doing so well with the changes in your life and finding new pleasures. B)
You are the best cook!! I will agree. I have yet to have something you have made that doesn't just taste fabulous!! How you can make an awesome meal with just stuff in the kitchen is just beyond me... Yeah for Amy being a crazy good cook!
I am so jealous of people who can cook because I so can't. I have no patience or time to do anything in the kitchen which is very bad. Maybe you can give me a few pointers I can get out of my bad habits!
I can't cook, but I can bake! However, not good if you wish to lose weight.
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