Today was officially designated "Cooking Day". In order to properly celebrate the end of a quite stressful time period of studying for the MCAT by my friend Danny, I volunteered to make him dinner. This idea was initially discussed in February - and before I knew it, it's mid-April, and I was responsible for producing a huge dinner.
When I asked Danny what he wanted to eat, in my mind I'm thinking pasta or chicken and pasta or chicken enchiladas; in other words, things I already know how to prepare. But he wanted meat. I don't really do meat. I rarely cook anything other than ground beef (which then is only for tacos). I knew I was in trouble. Especially when he specified he wanted a Roast.
Who cooks a roast? Mothers. Grandmothers. Aunts. Not me!
But, my mom has a recipe called Best Ever Chuck Roast. And it was upon that meal that we feasted today. Chuck roast, mashed potatoes, green beans and Kahlua cake for dessert.
As an attestation to how well I showed my skills in the kitchen - almost everything I made was devoured, and I can barely move due to fullness at this point. The after-dinner-lethargy definitely set in a few hours post-mealtime.
What I discovered today was that I really enjoy cooking when other people are around to partake and when they truly enjoy themselves. To hear their gratitude, or actually, to see it in their faces while eating and afterwards in their posture while relaxing...it's kind of a high.
None of the recipes used for this meal were of my own design. Therefore, I must thank Mom, Kelly, and the Joy of Cooking cookbook for their aid in my preparations. But ultimately, I was the one who followed the directions and pulled the dishes off. Great feeling.
Even after doing dishes 3 times today in order to keep the kitchen in working order and then to clean up from the last-minute rush to the table, I'm still satisfied and happy with how it all turned out.
And I must admit that eating more than a burrito and some cooked vegetables for dinner is great. Being full is quite satisfying.
2 comments:
"being full is satisfying"
novel idea lana. brilliance.
Oh dear, when you told me that you'd cooked dinner for Danny, it never even crossed my mind the fact that you'd have to be interacting with MEAT.
So sorry.
(By the way, if you need any chicken washed this week, just save it for Wed. and I'll do it.)
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