By Mocha Dad

My wife, KayEm, thinks I don’t like her cooking. Well, there are some things that she cooks that I can’t stand – Voila! Chicken and frozen fish patties are the main culprits.

Before my work responsibilities increased, I did all of the cooking. I spoiled Kim with luxurious Cajun, Caribbean, and Italian dishes. I still cook Sunday dinner because I enjoy doing it.

KayEm doesn’t receive the same joy from cooking. Her goal is to get a hot meal on the table in 30 minutes or less. After dealing with a toddler, a mischievous beagle, and two elementary aged children all day, I can understand why she views cooking with such a sense of dread.

Periodically, she will try a new recipe that she saw on Food Network. I make a point to show her how much I appreciate her taking the time to cook a special dinner for our family. There is nothing better than coming home from a business trip to a delicious meal that my wife has prepared.

But things are different when I see the Gorton’s fisherman. There’s always an awkward moment when I get home from work and see Kim placing a pan of Crispy Battered Fillets in the oven. We give each other dirty looks because she knows I’m not going to eat her “cooking” that night and I know that she is going to be upset if I don’t.

In an episode of Everyone Loves Raymond, Debra makes Ray a sandwich that he finds distasteful. After taking one bite, he offers his wife a deal.

“If you let me throw this sandwich out, you can call me idiot,” says Ray.

“Deal,” says Debra. “Idiot!”

The next time KayEm makes fish sticks, I plan to offer the same deal.

Mocha Dad is Frederick, a husband and father of three.  He has written for several publications including Essence and The Houston Chronicle.  Visit his website www.mochadad.com

Author

Maria Lianos-Carbone is the author of “Oh Baby! A Mom’s Self-Care Survival Guide for the First Year”, and publisher of amotherworld.com, a leading lifestyle blog for women.

2 Comments

  1. Allison Zapata Reply

    My husband hates them too! And chicken voilà is enemy number one!

  2. Too funny, I remember that episode. Even still I think my feelings would be hurt, but I totally understand because my husband is the same way.

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