And now.... without further ado............
___________________________________________________________
Greetings
to you all! This is Chris (Jenn's fiancé) and today I will be taking over
Jenn's Food Journey for this guest post. Why? Well mostly because I have been a
lucky recipient of every single dish featured on here so I thought I should
contribute something. Though I won't be posting a recipe, as you can see from
the accompanying photo I don't cook, instead I will be sharing with you MY
story of how I became the happiest passenger on Jenn's Food Journey.
If
you're a regular visitor to Jenn's blog you know I am a lucky man. She's a
talented lady in the kitchen. The truth is before being with Jenn I didn't even
care about food. I was a single guy with a busy lifestyle (that's not true at
all I just put that in to make myself sound active) and had almost no regard
for food. When hungry I ate, that was about the extent of thought I put into
any given meal. I was a connoisseur of microwavable boxed foods, frozen
burritos, ham sandwiches and virtually any fast food or precious leftover from
Sunday meals at my sisters'. Food just didn't matter to me. I'm a designer and
musician and spend countless hours engaged in front of the computer or playing
some instrument. Eating while computing or playing guitar is a no no. Food was
merely sustenance necessary to keep from passing out...or dying I suppose. In
fact I remember times actually being annoyed I had to stop what I was doing and
eat!
When I met Jenn I was fascinated that she was a food enthusiast. She offered to come cook me dinner one night when we first started dating. I figured that would be cool. It would certainly be the first time any actual cooking would take place in my man cave apartment. Not to mention I had never been with a woman who could cook. I remember thinking, even if she's a lousy cook it can't be worse than what I was gonna have. So indeed she came over with a bag of groceries, assessed my pathetic collection of barely used cooking utensils and proceeded to create a meal I will never forget. The smells that filled my dinky dwelling, how sexy this woman looked in my crappy kitchen cooking for me and the fineness and actual cooking skill she seemed to possess are the overwhelming first memories of that fine evening. Then we ate.
(Chris and I - photo taken by a friend, Sara Meisner)
When I met Jenn I was fascinated that she was a food enthusiast. She offered to come cook me dinner one night when we first started dating. I figured that would be cool. It would certainly be the first time any actual cooking would take place in my man cave apartment. Not to mention I had never been with a woman who could cook. I remember thinking, even if she's a lousy cook it can't be worse than what I was gonna have. So indeed she came over with a bag of groceries, assessed my pathetic collection of barely used cooking utensils and proceeded to create a meal I will never forget. The smells that filled my dinky dwelling, how sexy this woman looked in my crappy kitchen cooking for me and the fineness and actual cooking skill she seemed to possess are the overwhelming first memories of that fine evening. Then we ate.
She
prepared goat cheese & spinach stuffed chicken breasts with veggies;
zucchini or maybe broccoli I think...might have been a baked potato? It doesn't
matter the chicken is what I remember. The perfectly pan seared golden brown
outer skin and creamy goat cheese made my head spin. I didn't even know I liked
goat cheese! That was just the beginning of many food discoveries Jenn led me
to that I can't believe I once lived without. I knew right then this girl was
special. It may have been a simple meal by some standards but to me it was
gourmet cooking. It isn't as if I had no taste for good food it all it was just
that until this night I had forgotten the joy of eating good food at home with
someone you care about. She doesn't know it but I'm pretty sure I proposed to
her right then and there in my mind after taking the first bite.
Food
quickly became a big part of our weekends together. Her cooking. Me eating. She
introduced me to the Food Network. I knew there was a food channel but I never
watched it. Who the hell could sit and watch cooking shows all day? It turned
out to be a major source of entertainment in our early romance...and continues
to be. I had no idea that watching food could be entertaining. I didn't even
know who Bobby Flay was? I'll admit it may have been Giada that actually held
my attention first but I digress.
So now
after 5 plus years here I am nearly a food expert because of Jennifer! Okay not
really, but I actually appreciate food and flavor again. Jenn has taught me so
much about good food through simple easy dishes we enjoy nightly. I admit she
does get frustrated with me from time to time because I can be picky but I will
always, mostly, sometimes try anything.
I will say this, the posts she does are all eaten by me and they do
taste as good as they look I promise you that.
I hope
I have not bored anyone but that's the end of the story. We live happily…and
enjoy Jenn's great food daily. This post is really my tribute to her. She is a
woman of many talents. I'm fortunate one of those talents is skills in the
kitchen. I'm actually healthier because of her! I admire her dedication to this
blog and can attest to the hard work she puts into it each and every day. As I
said before I don't cook...at all. So my real contribution is to clean the
kitchen every night. My philosophy is and will always be; if she cooks I will
clean. Many of you have your own food blogs and I hope your significant does
the same, or if you have kids of course make them do it. We owe you for the
love and nourishment you bring us through food.
Thanks
for reading everyone and be sure and leave a comment because my ego needs the
attention and Jenn LOVES comments!!!
PS (to
the owner of this fine food blog). Thanks for letting me take over your blog
today babe. I love you! xoxo
PSS (to
the readers)…if you want the recipe for the delicious dish shown I will be
happy to share that as well perhaps in a future guest post….or you can read the
instructions on the package. ;)
©
(Chris and I having a little fun!!)
One Year Ago: Chicken and Chorizo Grilled Pizza
Two Years Ago: Mediterranean Steaks
Three Years Ago: Not Quite Heinz 57 Marinade for Steaks
13 comments:
"Food was merely sustenance necessary to keep from passing out...or dying I suppose." - I sometimes wish I were more that way. Sounds like Jenn changed part of your life (likely other parts as well) and I really like what you had to say about the experience - well written and I would like to hear from you more often. Left to my own devices and when in lazy mode, my meals look very much like yours, so no recipe needed here :-).
You two are adorable together!!! People bond - and even fall in love - over food ... :) Jenn is, indeed, a fabulous woman and you are so, so lucky to have her in your life, Chris! I'm lucky to call her my friend, and she's lucky to have such a generous supporter ... and eater! A huge MAZAL TOV to you both!!!
Awesome Chris!! You are indeed a lucky man!! And you're a good man to clean the kitchen. Every cook needs some help with the clean up!!! I love this blog and taking a look at Jenn's recipes!!
Well what a fabulous post! And nice to meet you Chris. My husband was somewhat the same way when we met. His mother had not been a good cook, his x-wife didn't cook and when she did it wasn't edible, so his opinion of home cooked food was somewhat negative and meals non-existent. Which made cooking for him and his teenage sons a lot of fun for me. What a great story you've shared and you're a good writer. She's lucky to have you in her life too, not everyone is appreciative like you. And to realize it so quickly is a solid gold trait. Sending a big ol' virtual hug your direction. And had to LOL over your last comment about reading the instructions on the package. Hope you hijack the blog a little more often.
Ok, I'm back, I was so interested in the story that I failed to notice your photo/styling. Nice. You've accomplished what we're all supposed to do and that is to tell a story with the photo. You've done that, because I think you ate half the potato chips during the photo session. ;) Love the plate and fork.
Ohhhh!!!! that's lovely! yes you are a lucky man and I"m SOOOOOOOOOO glad you are such a supportive guy :)
Mary x
Nicely done Chris. You are a lucky man and Jenn is also lucky that you appreciate her cooking! Great post.
Lucky you, Chris. Hopefully one day I can get to taste Jenn's food.
so great to meet you Chris... we've heard so much about you and it's so wonderful to finally hear from the horses mouth, as it were... a brilliant post... you're very lucky to have each other and very lucky to have Jenn as such an amazing friend and cook!... and someone to watch The Walking Dead with....
So what did you do after that first meal in your kitchen? lol lol lol lol
You leave me utterly speechless! And, for those who know me, that's somewhat of a miracle! I know you love my daughter, but your public expression of that love made me cry. Thank God you found each other - you're perfect together & we love you both. If you proposed in your mind the first time you tasted her food, what took you so long to get it out!! LOL!!!
Thanks for reading and for all the nice comments everyone. It was fun. You havnt heard the last of me I promise.
What a great post. You are a wise man to know how lucky you are and I know that Jennifer feels the same way about you.
"even if she's a lousy cook it can't be worse than what I was gonna have." that line about made me fall out of my chair laughing.
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