The Pink Slip: My Husband's Culinary Masterpieces
In a world filled with endless dining options, there's one person who manages to make every meal feel like a home-cooked affair. My husband, while not an everyday chef, has a repertoire of dishes that has left me and our friends in awe. Whenever he does cook, it's usually because I'm not feeling well, but the food he prepares is so comforting and delicious, it makes me forget any illness.
Mastering the Steak and Other Dishes
It’s gotta be steak. He’s really mastered the grilling time on meat. Just this evening he cooked me a perfectly medium rare Wagyu eye of ribeye. The outside ring of fat was perfectly rendered without losing the inner marbling – a testament to his patience and precision. He also makes a killer beef stew. His secret is a cup or two of fire-roasted tomatoes mashed up and added to the broth, which brings a delightful flavor.
My husband is also a whiz at fried chicken. He does a standard breading station instead of batter, but he puts a handful of freshly grated parmesan cheese, a generous pinch of tarragon, and a dollop of Dijon mustard in the panko breading. The result is nothing short of sublime. Whether I'm enjoying a standard chicken noodle soup or a perfectly grilled cheese with the right amount of butter, the bread toasted, and the cheese melted, my body and soul are nourished.
The Best Cook Ever
When asked which specific dish my husband cooks best, the answer is unequivocally salmon. However, when it comes to biryani, my wife's dish reigns supreme. Our neighbor down the street vouches for her skills, calling her biryani the best he’s ever tasted. My wife is versatile, making either Mumbai Biryani or Sindhi Biryani, depending on her mood. As a Gujarati, she focuses on a layer of lentils and incorporates boiled eggs, making her biryani unique and hearty.
However, personally, I prefer Yakni Pilau with its flavorful blend of spices and aromatics. Cooking biryani is a labor of love, requiring a great deal of time and effort. Most Indian restaurants in the UK struggle to produce a good biryani, but caterers for Indian/Pakistani weddings often excel in their craft.
A Culinary Journey Worth Welcoming
When my mother made chicken pilau, she would often pair it with shammi kebabs, adding another layer of joy to the meal. My husband's culinary creations, from the perfect steak to the comforting biryani, remind me that home-cooked meals are the ones that truly heal and nourish. Whenever he cooks, it’s not just a meal; it’s a love letter in flavor, texture, and warmth.