The Best Of Both Worlds Dish: How to keep your husband satisfied without eating steak every night.

My hubby LOVES meat. Specifically meat and quinoa. I know for a fact that he could live off the stuff because most of the time I'm not home that's exactly what he makes for himself. When he's looking to do variety he'll switch it over to meat and rice or tuna if he's feeling really wild. I love my man but sometimes it's dang hard to satisfy his need for meat at every meal! I can make the most flavorful meal but if it lacks in the 60/40% meat to everything else ratio I know he will continue snacking the rest of the night!

This has been a dilemma since the first day we got married but I really do enjoy cooking for him because he is truly easy to please. He never complains when the I put the plate in front of him, he never eats something else instead of the meal I've cooked, and he never asks for anything outrageous as a meal! But keeping him full and satisfied is tricky especially because I just don't like meat that much.

Hence my dilemma. I cook according to my cravings, as I've mentioned in my other posts, and sometimes it makes it hard to make a meal that satisfies us both! But I have learned some nifty tricks to help us both out. Usually I will make the meal according to the flavors I am feeling or what is popping out in the fridge begging me to turn it into something special for dinner. Then I figure out what meat I have that would be best incorporated into Brian's portion of the meal and figure out a side that would also satisfy him. So the flavor I usually design around what I'm feeling because that's what is important to me but Brian I make sure he's got the essentials for satisfying his hunger.

I have been sticking to this way of cooking and it has really worked for us. The other night we threw charcoal in the grill and grilled up some nice juicy buffalo and blue cheese brats for Brian, grilled some brussel sprouts tossed in olive oil salt and pepper, and then I mixed together some tomatillo salsa with white queso dip (because that's what I was craving along with the fresh brussels from the garden) and we called it a meal! Brian got to nosh on his brats, I got my chips and veggies, and we both ended feeling satisfied.

So here is my homage to men and their meat eating ways. I have a great recipe that will satisfy your hubby's cravings with some hearty Garlic and Parmesan mashed red potatoes, with fresh and crisp pan seared Green Freshy Fresh Beans, and a light and buttery Lemon Mustard Cod recipe!

Try it out and don't forget to tweak according to your own tastebuds! Because that's what life is all about!


Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

1 1/2 lb red potatoes (or however many you want or whatever kinda potato you want)
1 t garlic powder, OR 1 t garlic salt, OR 1 clove fresh garlic mashed
2 stalks green onion
2 sprigs fresh thyme (or whatever you got fresh or whatever you want to add dried it's up to you!)
1/8 c. heavy cream or sour cream or milk (again make it work for you)
1/4 c. shredded Parmesan

Cut your potatoes in half and boil until tender and a fork inserts into them no problem. Drain and put back in the pot. Add heavy cream, salt, pepper, and garlic and mash until it is the consistency you desire. I like mine a little chunky and I like the skin on. If you don't like the skin simply peel potatoes before boiling. Then add the green onion, thyme (or other herb) and Parmesan cheese and mix until cheese is melted. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Lemon Mustard Cod

1 lb fresh cod
3 T good mustard like stone ground or Grey Poupon flavors
2T olive oil
2T fresh lemon juice
2T water
salt and pepper to taste

Sprinkle cod with salt and pepper on both sides. Add olive oil to a skillet and turn to medium high. When the pan is hot lay the fish in the pan and cook 4-5 min on each side until slightly brown on each side. (If you want to add an extra bit of satisfaction to your meal dredged the cod in a little flour before frying it. This will add a nice crisp to the fish.) Remove from the pan and set aside.

Whisk the mustard of your choice, olive oil, lemon juice, and water together in a small bowl until combined. Should be runny enough to spoon over the fish. Set aside.

Fish and mustard sauce

Green Freshy Fresh Beans

This is what I love about garden goodness right here. I literally took green beans from the garden (about 1/3 lb), cut off the ends, and threw them into the pan that the fish had been in, tossed them with a little salt, pepper, and olive oil, and took them out a 1 1/2 minutes later. I just like to give them a little sear and add some flavor but still leave them super crisp. Boom done.

Then simply plate up the goodies and enjoy the fruits of your labor! The whole meal start to finish shouldn't take you more then 15 minutes! (Minus the potato boiling time of course. But just throw them on and walk away for 20 min!)

There are super simple ways to make meals special and the people you love feel special. Eat on my friends. Joy in every moment ;)