Look for my column, The Bitter Lemon, in Baton Rouge’s alt-weekly, Dig magazine. A fresh issue hits the stands every Wednesday. This week’s column covers two of my favorite things: cooking and dating. 

I need to figure out how to do this…

The man I thought I was going to marry was a “meat and potatoes” kind of guy. If love were rice dressing, then my turkey was overstuffed for him.

I did everything I could to win his heart (read: cooked and baked dozens of recipes). From meatloaf and shepherd’s pie to birthday cakes and mocha chip cookies, I always had something in the oven for our time together.

But I quickly learned—when he got married—that even a perfect, medium-rare steak doesn’t make a relationship.

From a young age, I have loved food. My dad often cooked dinner in our house, as my mom worked late. While the meals weren’t fancy, my dad’s recipe for crockpot “Mushroom Chicken” holds a special place in my heart.

I have always liked cooking for myself, but when Mr. Meat and Potatoes came into my life, I relished cooking for him even more. But it was always one-sided. I can recall maybe two times, in four years, where he cooked for me. Read More…