Visualize the scene......It's 4pm on a Saturday afternoon, time to get started on dinner. It's been a long day that started early with carting children around to morning tae kwon do and cheer practices, then the weekly trip to the store, then a few chores at the house, then hosting a baking play-date. She's so proud of herself, she's picked a great new dish that she thinks everyone will like for dinner and she's purchased all that she needs to create it. But its going to take some time to put together. That's no problem because cooking is what she enjoys.
There's poaching the chicken followed by shredding it after it has cooled. There is making the chicken gravy from scratch, you know the kind.....butter, flour, broth, salt, pepper and stirring constantly for 10 minutes until it thickens. The next step was to take that gorgeous gravy that she just created and mix it up with a few more ingredients to make a delicious Mexican style cream sauce that will be used to hold the cheese (grated by hand, she might add), tortillas and the chicken together while it bakes in the oven for 30 minutes more.
It's now 6pm and the oven timer has just dinged to let her know that the scrumptious casserole was finished. She opens the oven to gorgeous steaming Mexican goodness. Now it was time to let it cool a little before cutting into it. Dinner will be served in about 20 minutes.
The dish has cooled, milk has been poured, napkins and forks are out and plates are filled with the chicken tortilla casserole yumminess. It is time for her to call everyone in to sit down and eat. The moment of truth has arrived, as it has so many other times when presenting new ideas to her amazing family. End scene one, lights fade out.
Scene two opens with her children running in with their tummies growling, ready for some grub....only to stop dead in their tracks.
Kids say almost in a beautiful unison chorus....
"What is that smell?"
"Oh, no, not again."
"I'm not eating that!(said with arms crossed and foot tapping wildly)"
Mom replies.....
"C'mon, just try it. I think you'll like it."
"Have an open mind, here."
"Just a few bites."
Kids' response.....
"No. Can I have pasta?"
"I'm not eating that and you're not making me. (Looks up at ceiling)"
Dad chimes in....
"C'mon kids, it's really good. Maybe a little salt or salsa verde might help."
The happy little family was in a state of total chaos and Mom had began to flip out. She was tired.....she'd had a long day of catering to her family. Now, after she'd worked so hard on this meal, her loved ones are rebelling. So, Mom had gotten so irritated at the stubbornness, that, with haste, she ended up making ham and cheese tacos. One of the girls gladly gobbled it down. The other one, was also irritated at how her mother was behaving that she also refused to eat her new meal.
Mom then piled the portions of the casserole she had given to the girls onto her own plate and began eating, drinking wine between each bite. She had intentions of eating it all right there in front of them all....but after two portions, she was out. It really was delicious and she just couldn't understand why they wouldn't just try it. That's all she ever asks is for them to try new meal ideas. She always has a back-up plan.
Mom had to hand it to the men. The Boy ate a little at first just to be polite....then the plate was empty (but he certainly didn't want 2nds). Dad also cleaned his plate.
Her tantrum lasted the rest of the evening. Her feelings were truly hurt.
She has come to the terrible realization that this fun task of creating new meals for her family is really just a terrible idea. The audience is unwilling to be captivated by her talents. And her feelings will forever be hurt. So, why put herself through this again and again? Why does she bang her head up against the wall over and over thinking that the next time it won't hurt like the last time she did it.
Oh, she will be cooking these wonderful meals for herself though, why should she suffer with mediocrity? The rest of the crew can live off of pasta and meatballs, macaroni and cheese, and tomato soup with grilled cheeses for the rest of their lives. Maybe some day, when they smell such goodness from her plate compared to theirs, they will come around and say, "Mom, can I try a little?" Mom might think about responding, "I'm sorry, honey, I only made enough for me. Maybe next time." But what she will actually do, while jumping up and down.....give it all away with joy hoping to hear that they want more.
She loves her family and she would't trade them for the world, she just wishes they would be a bit more adventurous with their dinner palates.
Readers, if you are interested in this recipe, click here and let us know what you think.
