10 dishes you need to know before moving in together
Carefully I Skyped my mother, with my hands under the flour and a countertop full of apple peels. Quite irritated by the way, because how on earth did my dough stay so sticky? Not long before this misery, I had packed my bags and taken the plane to the US of A. Where I was going to live with Mr. X. My plan was to bake an apple pie because we were having visitors. A big fiasco, then... By the way, this was not the only time I called my dear mother's help line. I mention a crazy beurre blanc, a risotto that just wouldn't cook, and a chicken soup that I just couldn't get to taste right. In short, there are those dishes that you better have under control before you start sharing the kitchen with your husband. Do you and your partner have plans to live together? Then start practicing. You should at least be able to cook these dishes, because you know.. Love the way to the heart is through the stomach.
- Basic tomato sauce: An onion, a clove of garlic, and some cans of peeled tomatoes. Patience, a lot of patience. For that perfect spaghetti bolognese but also for the perfect lasagna or as a base for your melanzane.
- A good chicken soup: For when your loved one has a case of the dramatics.
- Pasta Carbonara: before you know it, you have pasta scrambled eggs.
- Curry: Whether it's Indian or Thai.
- A good steak: That is still red inside but warm. Trick? After frying (alternating and just for a very short time) let it rest in aluminum foil.
- Apple pie: For when your mother-in-law comes to visit...
- French toast: to pamper your loved one on that cold Sunday morning.
- Mashed potatoes: with a small pinch of nutmeg AND a dollop of butter. Just like that, but also as a base for your hutspot or stamppot.
- A good meatball: Some white bread soaked in a bath of milk and a splash of ketjap was my mother's secret.
- Vinaigrette: no good salad without vinaigrette.
