Mister picks a winner!

I'm sure I've previously mentioned my countless attempts to involve Mister in the dinner-decision-making process.  I've probably also mentioned his apathetic reticence.  On rare occasion, I have shared a fun story of changing my dinner plans due to an enthusiastic request from a Mister looking at the menu over my shoulder.  As you've probably gathered, if Mister actually participates in choosing dinner, I'm entirely too delighted to turn down whatever request he made.

This is why we did not go out to dinner tonight.

To be honest, today was a real bummer of a last day off from work.  It was grey and miserable in the morning, which I don't mind, but it certainly makes it a little harder to get moving.  I had a pleasant surprise(ish) in the form of my Cali Sister coming to visit.  We wandered over to Cups & Chairs, where I haven't been since Old Faithful died, and met up with Mister for a round of tea and brunch.  I had a blueberry bagel that could have been dessert, accompanied by a Green Tea Soy Latte that was utterly delicious.  Sister had a Caprese sandwich and a Vanilla Latte, while little Nephew pushed pieces of an omelet around a plate.  Mister had the vegetarian omelet with a Detox Tea that he really tried to drink, but didn't.  After some fun conversation, I bid Sister farewell just as a steady rain began to fall, threatening to drown my hopes of completing outdoor chores.

I stood in my kitchen with my coat buttoned up and my grocery list tucked in my purse, glancing out the window and trying to determine how much rain was actually falling.  I eventually decided that despite my disposition, I am not made of salt and ventured out into the rain.  I made it to Whole Foods, filled my bags with goodies and got about halfway home before the heavier rain started.  I opened my umbrella and hastened my steps, then took my time unloading the groceries in hope the rain would die down so I could go to Superfresh.  Eventually, that did occur.

What does any of this have to do with not going out to dinner?  Well, after traipsing through the rain for groceries and a horrendously unsuccessfully shoe-shopping attempt, I sat in my kitchen by half-light, since one of the bulbs blew out again last night, and could not muster the desire to cook.  I wanted to go to dinner just around the corner, have pasta with rich, garlicky sauce, and at least a glass or two of Montepulciano.  Mister was totally on board, by the way, until I had to go and derail the whole thing by showing him the menu...at which point he commenced to drool.

Can you blame him?  I constructed this week's menu completely from Appetite for Reduction, so his reaction should be testimony that you can eat mouth-watering things while trying to lose weight.  No, Mom, I'm not trying to lose weight.  It's good to know, though, that if I did want to lose weight, I wouldn't feel deprived! (I sound like a commercial for my company). 

Anyway, why don't I share the menu with you so you can see why Mister didn't want to go out to dinner anymore (and why I couldn't help but agree, on second glance):

1. Hottie Black-Eyed Peas and Greens - I had completely forgotten about the New Years tradition of eating black-eyed peas and collards for good luck until everyone I knew posted about it in some social media.  So, I figure, good luck is better late than never, right??

2. Forty-Clove Chickpeas and Broccoli - I'll be honest: this recipe alone was the reason I wanted this cookbook.  I was fortunate to get a sneak peek when Jess from Get Sconed! was testing for the cookbook and I was hooked from that moment.

3. Pasta Con Broccoli - hey! Broccoli finally got Not-Gross.  I'm taking advantage.  Besides, after reading the recipe through twice, I was in love.

4. Ginger Bok Choy and Soba - pushing my luck with the bok choy situation, but the adult variety is usually available, so I figured I'd take my chances.

5. Pasta e Fagioli with Spinach - because apparently, a girl can never have too many pasta fagioli recipes... it's like the Italian answer to Rice-n-Beans.

6. Braised Cabbage with Seitan accompanied (hopefully) by Jerk Asparagus.  When I got the book on Christmas, I was glancing through the food porn section in the middle of the cookbook and saw the Jerk Asparagus.  Mister and I love the jerk spices, so I wanted to make this ASAP.  Of course, there is no asparagus to be found now.  I selected the cabbage-n-seitan because I needed a recipe to help me use the rest of my New Years Seitan.

So, the recipe that got Mister over the prospect of bruschetta, pizza, and possibly tiramisu (some of his absolute favorite foods)?  Not surprisingly, Forty-Clove Chickpeas and Broccoli.  I served it on top of homemade mashed potatoes, creating another holy trinity of Mister's favorite foods: broccoli, chickpeas, (garlic) and mashed potatoes.  It was super simple to prep, and then it just sits in the oven, stinking up your kitchen in the most delightful way for about 45 minutes.  It was amazing and I'm so glad we ate at home after all (plus, I listened to my new CD while prepping) - we just about licked our bowls clean.

Go, right now, and get Appetite for Reduction.  Make this recipe.  Angst says so.

Okay, you're right.  He didn't say a thing, but he sure is a persuasive napper, isn't he?