like mom makes it

This past weekend I made chocolate mousse for Diego in lieu of a birthday cake. I was a bit hesitant about making mousse since I had never made it before and because I had this suspicion that it was difficult to make. But after looking at the recipe in the Betty Crocker Big Red Cookbook (p.s. I totally heart the BCBRC; it rocks my socks off), I decided that it didn't look so terribly difficult and decided to give it a try.

It turned out beautifully. Perfect texture and consistency. Perfect fluffiness and creaminess, just as good mousse should be. So I chilled it in little dessert bowls and served each one with a strawberry garnish on top. Delicious. Diego agreed. The conversation went something like this...

D: Mmm... this is amazing.
M: Thanks.
D: Seriously, next time you make this, don't change a thing about what you did. It's perfect.
M: Well, I'm glad you like it.
D: Know what you could do next time? After it's cooled, you could grate a little chocolate into it so that there are chocolate chunks mixed in with the mousse.
M: Is that the way your mom used to make it?
D: Yeah...

So that leads me to the post title... What is it about men wanting things the way their mom made them? I have this theory that men more frequently than women want certain foods to be the way their moms made them. I think this is for several reasons:

1. Women try not to become their mothers and feel more free to experiment with recipes and make them their own.
2. Men like to be taken care of especially in the area of food (just like mom did).
3. If women really want something like mom made it, they can just make it themselves.
4. All men really marry their mothers; just like all women marry their fathers.
5. It's a comfort thing.

I'm sure there are a hundred exceptions to this, but that's why I'm saying it's a theory not a rule ;) And I'm not trying to be sexist here. I know that many men are excellent cooks and that many women are horrible cooks, so this could even be more dependent on who the main cook is in the household. What do you think? Especially you married ladies out there. Do you think that you or your husband is more likely to want things the way mom made it?

way down south

For a few months, Diego and I have tossed around the idea of going to Argentina together. Initially we were thinking we would go in January or February because it's summer in Argentina then, but between our work schedules and the ridiculous price of airfare, we opted for a different time of year.

Saturday we booked a flight to Argentina for the middle of November! We'll fly into Buenos Aires and spend a little time there probably right before the return flight. Most of the time we'll be in Mar del Plata, where he grew up and where some of his family still live.

I'm very excited to see his Argentina :)

the way to an argentine heart

The way to an Argentine heart may be through his stomach in general but more specifically with beef. Our travel plans were reversed this weekend since I had the misfortune of being sick, so Diego, being the wonderful boyfriend he is, came down to visit me. I knew that it would be well after 8, possibly approaching 9, by the time he got here, so I decided to have supper ready and waiting for him.

Because he's a carnivore at heart and because I was hungry for it, I decided to make my mom's chuck roast with homemade noodles. It's actually not a bad thing to make when you're feeling under the weather because the prep time is relatively short and it requires no fussing-over while baking.

The timing was perfect for once, and just as he arrived the roast and noodles were ready. After taking one look at the roast, this is the conversation that followed:

D: This is the best meal you've ever made for me.
M: You haven't even tasted it yet.
D: It doesn't matter. It's beef.

And it was delicious even though I struggled to eat since one of my wisdom teeth was being literally a pain in my mouth. So in case any of you carnivores out there are looking for a tasty new recipe to try, here's one for you (for my dear vegetarian friends, I'll post a more vegetarian-friendly recipe soon). Enjoy!

Chuck Roast with Homemade Noodles (from Taste of Home)

Ingredients:
1 boneless chuck roast (3 – 4 pounds)
½ c. chopped onion
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
2 ½ c. water
1 c. all-purpose flour
½ tsp. salt
1 egg
2 Tbs. milk
1 can (14 oz.) beef broth
Pepper to taste

the roast
1. In a Dutch oven, brown roast and onion in oil.
2. Add ½ c. water.
3. Cover and bake at 325° for 2 ½ to 3 hours or until meat is tender.

the noodles
1. Meanwhile, for noodles, combine flour and salt in a bowl; make a well in the center.
2. Beat egg and milk; pour into well.
3. Stir to form a stiff dough.
4. Turn onto a well-floured surface; roll into a 15-in. x 12-in. rectangle.
5. Cut into 1/8-in. strips.
6. Cover and refrigerate until ready to cook.

the finishing touches
1. Remove roast and keep warm; add broth and remaining water to pan.
2. Bring to a boil; add noodles.
3. Cook for 8 – 10 minutes or until tender.
4. Drain; season with pepper.
5. Serve with the roast.

Note: Uncooked noodles may be stored in the refrigerator for 2 – 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.