confessions of a newlywed: cooking 101

okay, so with everything that has gone on in the life of the alleys the last couple weeks, i have not really had the opportunity (or the joy ;) to go to the grocery store and purchase all the ingredients needed for all those meals i planned about 3 weeks ago. well, yesterday i braved the "winter blast of 09" grocery store crowd and headed out to harris teeter...not for bread and milk because of the storm but because we literally did not have ANYTHING but popcorn and dried fruit trail mix in our pantry. i am happy to report that the two hours i spent in the grocery store were not that traumatic and all in all, an okay experience. (and i'm not EVEN going to address my disappointment regardling the lack of a true winter blast 09. ;)

so, tonight was the night...my first attempt at making dinner for my husband. now, don't get me wrong...i have cooked before and i've cooked for joel before but those times were few and far between AND usually special occasions. i did feel a little pressure (because who wants to cook something and have your husband hate it) but was excited to be doing "married life things." i know, i know...i'm a dork but i'm okay with it.

three weeks ago i sat down with a pile of cooking light cookbooks (we're working on eating healthier meals) and planned out two weeks worth of menus. tonight's menu consisted of horseradish hamburgers (YUM), baked beans, sun chips, and strawberry muffins for dessert. it was a little bit of a challenge for me cooking hamburgers without a grill but aside from that small moment of stress, everything went well AND the hubs claims that he loves them. we had a very candid conversation at dinner that went something like this:

me: so, do you like it? i mean...is it okay? i really hope you like it.

hubs: yes, babe, i love them. they're really great.

me: seriously, i know you don't want to hurt my feelings and it would make me sad if you didn't like it but.....i want you to be honest with me.

hubs: i promise, they're great

me: so you would want me to make them again?

hubs: absolutely

me: are you sure?

hubs: frustrated sigh ;)

so the horseradish hamburgers will make more appearances for dinner in the alley household and i'm glad that the hubs liked them because i thought they were really great, too. i'll be happy to share the recipe if anyone would want it...i know when you hear horseradish, you think spicy but they're not spicy at all. the horseradish just gives them a great savory flavor (according to the hubs). i'm also open to any and all menu planning and cooking tips. this newlywed knows she has a lot to learn :).

(joel was also very sweet that he let me take a picture of his plate right in the middle of dinner. he even helped me "stage" it. :)