Why did I bother to ask?
"Meat!" was his reply.
Well, at least he wasn't just doing steaks on the grill. He was actually looking for a recipe. I suggested a pork roast with vegetables, an easy, but elegant dish.
"Boom! Send the recipe!"
But moments later, he was having second thoughts.
"I decided, Chicken parm," he texted, naming one of his favorite dinners. "Do you have a good recipe?"
I explained that it was just like the eggplant Parmesan I had made often and that recipe was already on the blog.
"You just saute the chicken breast, then spoon tomato sauce on top, layer some cheese over that, and bake it in the oven."
"Perfecto, can you send the recipe?"
"Ha ha! I thought I just did."
I did e-mail the recipe, and he actually made the dish, texting me a photo at 8:20 that night.
"Impressive!" I texted back, and I meant it. The photo really did look delicious.
"How did it taste?"
"Really great!"
I made the recipe myself the next night, and was gratified that it worked out well. Slowly, meal by meal, I may actually convince these children of mine that cooking is worth the effort.
Tim: I have to say, I've impressed myself, I really am becoming a decent cook. Who knew I had it in me. If I only I had applied myself like this in chemistry class ... am I right, Mrs. McMichael?
All in all, it was a great night and a great meal. My girlfriend was happy and, at the end of the day, that's all that matters.
I do have one question though, momma: Who suggests scallops?
Contact Maureen Fitzgerald at 215-854-5744 or mfitzgerald@phillynews.com, or follow on Twitter@mydaughterskit. Read her blog, "My Daughter's Kitchen," at www.philly.com/mydaughter.
