They Can't All Be Winners

This is true of many things in life. Ideas, jokes, blind dates, lottery tickets, just to name a few. But in this instance, it is true of the McNees family dinner this past Sunday night. To be clear, a "winning" meal in our house is defined as unanimous approval. Everyone must agree that they would like to have that meal again. This may not be a realistic standard for other households, but we are just four people and none of us has a particularly picky palate. So I do not view it as a terribly impossible goal post.

Here is what was served at the McNees house on Sunday night. I know my family likes gnocchi, cauliflower, and bacon (duh). So I thought the addition of some fancy capers and pine nuts would not be a deal breaker. My husband, son, and I gobbled it up pretty excitedly, but my daughter picked at it and pushed it around her bowl. When I asked what she thought she said "It's not my favorite." Such diplomacy ;)

There was a time when a comment like that would cut me deep. I would take it personally, or get defensive about the rejection. But after a while, I realized that this was preventing me from learning anything that I could possibly use in the future to make more crowd-pleasing meals. I have since learned to stay objective and be curious. Now I ask questions. Is it the flavor? The texture? Can you describe what you don't love about it? Sometimes there is a specific reason, and sometimes there isn't. And I get. Speaking for myself, sometimes you are just not in the mood to eat something. Or it just isn't hitting whatever notes you want it to in that moment. And that is OK.

I share this story because I suspect that whether you cook for yourself, or for others, you have encountered this feeling. It's not a winner. And that can be incredibly frustrating when you have spent time, money, and energy preparing something that isn't received with thunderous applause, either by yourself or others. But I implore you to view it as an opportunity for growth and learning. That recipe "fail" can be turned into a winner in the future if you keep an open mind and an open heart. Keep the faith, and keep trying!