I’m Not a Failure as a Woman

This post is about another dinner failure. But it has a happy ending, so don’t despair.

On the way home from work yesterday I stopped at the store to get a few ingredients I needed. I was so excited for dinner. I’d scoured the internets to find a new way to make salmon (or old standby). I chose this recipe:

Salmon with Brown Sugar Glaze

2 Tablespoons packed light brown sugar

1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard

2 (6 oz) boneless salmon fillets

salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven broiler and set oven rack at about 6 inches from heat source. Prepare the rack of a broiler pain with cooking spray.

2. Season salmon with salt and pepper and arrange on pan.

3. Whisk together brown sugar and Dijon mustard in a small bowl. Spoon mixture evenly onto top of salmon fillets.

4. Cook under preheated broiler until fish flakes easily with fork (10-15 minutes).

Nutritional Info: 330 Calories, 16.2g Fat, 83mg Cholesterol

Serves: 2

I decided to make brown rice as a side dish. For some reason, I can never prepare brown rice properly. The package says one thing–but it never turns out when I follow the instructions! It’s so frustrating.

I substituted chicken broth instead of water for the brown rice.

I ended up cooking the brown rice for about an hour.  Even though the package said to cook it for 30-40 minutes.

While the rice was cooking, I mixed together the glaze. Grey Poupon mustard and brown sugar create a honey mustard! I was skeptical at first but after mixing it I tasted it and it was really good.

Brown Sugar

Michael said we should stop buying honey mustard and just make our own. I agree. It tastes so much better and it has less additives if we make it ourselves!

Whisk it together until the lumps are gone.

Glaze the salmon fillets.

Michael was unsure of the recipe instructions. They called for broiling the fish. I can honestly say I’ve never broiled anything. But I am a Recipe Follower and I trusted the instructions.

While the salmon was broiling, I made us salads. Good thing too because we didn’t end up eating for another hour. But I’ll explain that soon.

I made a simple salad dressing: extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, pepper.

So here’s the Dinner Failure.

I followed the broiling instructions and when I took the fish out–the top was completely black. And NOT in a good way. It was ruined. Michael wouldn’t let me take a photo of the ruined fish so no photos. Trust me when I say it was all black and ruined.

I started to tear up. Yes, I know it’s ridiculous. Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk and all that jazz. But oh my god! WHY can’t I cook?? I was so frustrated. Like how will I ever be a good partner/wife/mother if I can’t cook something as simple as salmon? My future kids will eat only Mac n’ Cheese and stuff I can cook in the microwave!!!

Michael was awesome and gave me a big hug and said it was okay. He said he loved that I TRY to cook for him and he said he loves cooking with me and I don’t have be able to cook. Aw!! So sweet.

He said he’d save the night and defrosted two more salmon fillets. He heated up the skillet to blacken the salmon (the usual way we make it).

I stood there feeling frustrated and embarrassed at my failure. Then I wiped the tears away and said we weren’t going to have salmon the usual way. We’re trying it again!

Take Two

Two more salmons. I followed the recipe instructions again.

This time, I was going to do it a different way. I made another glaze.

Drizzled it on the salmon and then loosely covered the salmon fillets with foil. This time? Baking it at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or so. I KNEW that would work.

The dinner was SAVED. It was fantastic!

Baking salmon is so much better (and it’s something I can do). The brown rice was wonderful. Using the chicken stock adds so much delicious flavor.

The final product:

Moist, flavorful rice with perfectly baked salmon. The mustard glaze also turned into a bit of a sauce that I poured onto the rice. A glass of wine and dinner was served.

So good. Definitely going to make this again. I’m glad I didn’t totally give up and let Michael make dinner. I’m glad I was able to save it!

QUESTION: Are you a good cook? Or do you have more disasters than delicious dishes?