Favourite Recipe Round-Up: Eleven Years In

Our Wedding

Favourite Recipe Round-Up: Eleven Years In

Our Wedding

Eleven years ago today, I was extremely busy. When I wasn’t kissing the man behind the hat, I was getting my photos taken, greeting guests and exchanging vows. Today I spent an embarrassing amount of time poking about the archives of my computer. I was looking for this photo. Years ago, I had renamed it “hatkiss” so I could find it easily – whenever I wanted. It seemed a logical move at the time. Modern me disagrees and suggests that perhaps, just perhaps, I should rename it “wedding hat kiss” so I have a hope in a hard drive next time.

Having finally located this one file, I proceeded to stare at my monitor, trying to think up ways to celebrate more than a decade of marriage without  a) resorting to cheap rhymes using “heaven” or b) repeating myself.

I promise not to rhyme “eleven” with “heaven” (or even “seven”) but repeating myself is actually my game plan. I’ve decided to mark the occasion with a round-up of Andrew’s favourite recipes.

Before we were married, if I had asked him for his favourite dishes, he’d have said steak, or roast turkey with scalloped potatoes. Dessert would have been apple pie. Today? His answer surprised me. The list included one meat, two vegetables, a salad dressing and a couple of non-apple-pie desserts. Best. Anniversary Gift. Ever.

Andrew’s Favourite Recipes

DSC00001 No Butter Chicken: This is my husband’s go-to dinner. When he tore his quad tendon and was confined to bed for several weeks, he asked for this so often I nearly said no. But I could deny him nothing.


DSC00407 - Version 2 Homemade Ranch Dressing:  This recipe nearly ended our marriage. When I refused to buy commercial salad dressing and Someone complained. Loudly. Often. So, I created this. Someone liked it. A lot. No arguments. Marriage saved.

Roasted-Caulflower-with-Cilantro-250 Spicy Roasted Cauliflower with Cilantro Dressing: When I first met Andrew he was decidedly anti-cauliflower. Monica Bhide introduced me to roasted cauliflower and knowing my husband’s weakness for spice, I created a spicy version with a cilantro dip. I had him at cilantro.

green beans1
Basil and Walnut Green Beans: One of the first recipes I ever posted, this remains a standby when we are out of ideas or time. It’s endlessly versatile if you switch up the herb, nuts and oil. Only the beans remain constant.

PecanPie Forty Creek Whisky Pecan Pie: For this recipe I combined two of my husband’s favourite things. Forty Creek Canadian Whisky and Pecan Pie. Canadian whisky gets a Southern makeover. Everybody wins.


Double Ginger Cookies Double Ginger Cookies: It’s not Christmas without these. What more can I say other than they should come with warning labels. Or track pants. Or both.

Have you influenced your mates food choice? Or visa versa? If so, how?

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9 Comments
  • Emily @ Life on Food
    Posted at 12:37h, 06 October

    Happy Anniversary!! what a cute photo. i am glad you were able to find it.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 15:45h, 06 October

    Thanks, Emily. Our wedding photos were taken long before digital became the norm so I filed them away before I knew what I was doing. As long as I can find my husband, I’ll be okay with the standard level of chaos we call life.

  • A Canadian Foodie
    Posted at 14:08h, 07 October

    Anther lovely little moment in commen, Charmian. I married Vanja October 17 – 11 years ago, as well. Sad to say that he will be in Europe this year for our anniversary on “our” holiday, visiting his parents, while I am here… but, hopefully – we will celebrate if life ever returns to normal. He is definitely the light of my life. Lucky us, eh?
    And a great tribute!
    🙂
    V

  • Jill Silverman Hough
    Posted at 23:10h, 07 October

    <3 it.

    Our anniversary is Thursday. 🙂

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 10:59h, 08 October

    Happy anniversary! Hope you and your husband have a lovely celebration.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 11:02h, 08 October

    Really? Just two weeks apart? What an amazing coincidence. I’m sorry you won’t be able to celebrate together. Sometimes life gets in the way of our plans. A happy marriage is a daily celebration, so yes, we are very lucky indeed. Here’s to many more anniversaries!

  • Carolyn T
    Posted at 14:13h, 09 October

    Happy Anniversary, Charmian. What a cute post. The picture is adorable! Loved reviewing all the recipes. After reading your post, I turned to my husband of 30+ years and asked him about his favorites that I’ve made and make – it made for an interesting conversation. I think I’ll create a post about it.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 08:36h, 12 October

    Thanks, Carolyn. It’s one of my favourite photos, even though you can’t see our faces. We were just goofing around and the photographer caught the moment.

    I’d love to know what your husband’s answers were. I often find the dishes I put the most effort into aren’t the ones people remember, but rather the simpler dishes they ask for again and again. Please send me a link when you post about it. I’d love to read it.

  • Pingback:30 years and counting | TastingSpoons
    Posted at 05:41h, 03 November

    […] week I was reading Charmian Christie’s blog about her and her husband’s 11th wedding anniversary, and she told a cute story about discussing […]