The Specter Family Blog

Matt -- Steph -- Faith -- Mari -- Robby -- Hannah -- Salsa -- and........



Sunday, August 12, 2012

Help me name this dish

I cook.

Pretty much, I'm relatively handy in the kitchen, but I can not claim to be a "composer" of meals in any way. I am an arranger.  I need a recipe.  I don't know enough yet to putter through my kitchen or wander through the produce section and have a dish assemble itself in my mind.  I'm good at recognizing a quality recipe, and I can add touches of my own to what's already there, but I just can't start from scratch.

But I'm improving.  I'm learning things.  I'm finally figuring out which ingredients I need to measure meticulously and which ones I can eyeball.  I'm learning which substitutions are acceptable in a pinch.  And I'm getting solid at the techniques I need to do all the basics.

However, this dish I sort of threw together myself a few months ago and it's become a staple.  Pretty simple.  Loads of veggies, doused liberally with olive oil and dotted with butter, roasted in the oven until they're soft and browned up.  This time I used zucchini, squash, onions, some peppers we roasted earlier in the day, some carrots, and some peas.  Broccoli would work too, or anything you like.  Throw some garlic in there too, hit it with some of Colonel De's Washington State Solar Evaporated Sea Salt, and some Italian seasoning of your choice.


Yum.




Boil up your favorite pasta, and top it with a heaping gop of the veggie mixture and some parm.




Kids love it.  Hannah even asked for some extra veggies without the spaghetti.

So, the question is - what do I call this?  I want something catchy, more exciting than "Veggie Spaghetti".  Any suggestions?  I'll give you a writing credit....







Resolution

I have been on a series of wild mood swings.  Understandable, of course, but it's time to grab that pendulum and pull it to the center.  I'm determined to stop being such a pain to deal with.  I am blessed with a wonderful wife who will support me to the ends of the earth, and she'd never dream of showing her frustration, but I know all this is wearing on her.  It's time to stop letting the things that are out of my control continue to affect the things I can control - being a good husband and father.

I love you, Steph.  I'm taking charge of my moods and giving up the simpering and whimpering.  What the hell good does it do to turn a corner and start down a new road if I'm still looking back?  I've been taking advantage of the fact that you'll always listen to my wallowing. Just because you'd listen to it as long as I need it doesn't mean I should keep expecting it of you.  Please understand that I'm cracking down on my own whining, not because you can't handle it, but because I just can't stand to do this to you any more.  Our old life is gone, but there's a new one ahead, and it's time for me to embrace it and let it start, for the love.

My issues have gotten ridiculous.  You've waited over a year for my life to come together.  I can't make you wait another day.  I want to give you something good to talk about.  The new me starts now.

Matt