Cooking? Fo' real!?

Behold! One night only! THE WIFE WHO HATES COOKING! Shocking! Terrifying! Your blood will chill!

I still fall under the newlywed category with a wonderful marriage nearing the two-year mark. As the above statement clearly and humorously states, I hate cooking. Alright, "hate" is a really strong word, but let's roll with it. Like any dutiful wife-to-be, my wedding registry consisted of an impressive plethora of cooking and baking doodads. My remarkable hoard of supplies might even impress Martha Stewart. Please don't get me wrong. I am not a poser. I just knew that it was going to be my duty to cook for my studly husband Boy Wonder, and it would be nice to have the supplies when the itch to cook attacked. 

I probably sound like the worst wife ever right about now. I do cook when I have to. Alright, I'm still not redeeming myself here, am I? But again, I'm being honest, and this is the theme of my blog: the trek to womanness? Womanliness? Okay, the trek to womanliness it is. So, I will get there! I have to be in the best mood ever to cook. It's kind of like an algebraic equation. Many factors make up the variables that will ultimately equal my ability and pleasure to prepare a meal. The numbers must've been in the right spot because just this week, I made Asian Tilapia Fillets (soy sauce, a splash of lime juice, and red hot sauce and then throw dem bad boys on the George Forman and VOILA! DINNER!) with white rice and some veggies. The look on Boy Wonder's face was the best thing about that dinner. Don't get me wrong: it was fabulous but knowing that I stepped up and actually donned my "wife apron" made me proud and made Boy Wonder proud. Isabelle the Cat was probably proud, too, but alas, she can't speak.

I've been analyzing my disTASTE (ha - get it?!) of the culinary duties, and I think I've got it (PS: I'm trying to find proof that "Petra" means "over-analyzer" in some foreign language). I lack the confidence. Giada, Paula Deen, Julia Child - those chicks make cooking look soooo easy, but for me, it's not. And maybe I don't like admitting that. Usually when Petra cooks dinner, it involves calling Madre and asking her question after question after question. Recipes are great, but they're only great when you are experienced enough to know what each step should look like. I hate being wrong, and I hate looking like an ignoramus. Consequently, cooking goes out the window with such fears because I am usually wrong, and I usually leave the kitchen pouting like an ignoramus would. 

I will get better. I promise. Knowing that it warms Boy Wonder's heart will make it worth it. I could burn four-fourths of a steak, and because he's the most supportive husband ever, he will eat it. He's not a liar, though. He will give me constructive criticism or even just a face when he thinks I'm not looking, but it's the sheer knowledge of realizing that I have a fan no matter what I create - or burn. That'll build the confidence. Maybe. 

If you have great recipes that a kitchen novice can't screw up, send them my way. I'm going to stop being selfish...and afraid. I'm going to keep trudging down that road to true womanhood. Maybe after I discover a respect for cooking, the "trudging" towards true womanhood will turn into a nice, breezy "skip"!