If You Can't Stand the Heat...

Cooking for my Spanish Family was an experience to say the least...I really don't cook at home so needless to say I was nervous. I was nervous because not only was I to cook something for people I did not know very well--thus meaning that they would not really care about my feelings if they didn't like what I prepared--but what I was to cook was going to be their meal...a.k.a they were dependent on my cooking. And ontop of that, my host dad didn't seem too fond of the idea and, although he was partially joking, he made it clear that he conveniently NOT be in attendance the night I was scheduled to cook.

After discussing with my host mom my fears about cooking, she offered some fool-proof recipes that the family was sure to like. I ended up choosing to make Carne en Salsa y Patatas Fritas (Meat in Sauce and French Fries) mainly because all of the ingredients were already in the house and the Meat in Sauce dish (really a beef stew type thing) only required that I peel and chop some veggies, cut the meat and throw everything into a pot.

Still nervous but slightly more confident, I began cooking Wednesday evening with my host mom cheering me on. She, surprisingly, let me do everything myself, even though I could tell that sometimes she was getting frustrated with how slow-moving I was and REALLY wanted to take over. I was impressed with her patience because, early on, I definitely got the impression that the kitchen is HER territory. Thus, in order to allow a novice cook to have the responsibility of making the meal required a great deal if it--patience, that is, I'm sure.

After slicing all of the veggies without hurting anyone, I began to feel much more relaxed and my host mom made the experience so much fun. We talked and joked while the stew was simmering and when it was time to check it and begin peeling and slicing the potatoes I was ready for round two!

After washing and preparing the potatoes for frying in the pan, I brought the oil to a boil and began slowly dropping the potato slices into the pan. Burning myself was inevitable, but I took it like a true champ! After both dishes were completed I felt the weight of all the nerves, apprehensions and worries lift from my shoulders immediately and I knew that I had accomplished my task.

The best part was the praise I got for cooking such a tasty meal from my family. Even my host dad had to admit that the food wasn't half bad. All in all, I'm glad I was able to prove that I can do it not only to my host family, but to myself as well! : )

*The final result...p.s. the wine is just there for decoration...none was consumed during the making of this meal.