The Crockpot

Posted byKathy SimmonsPosted inFood, Humor, RecipesTags:, , , ,

I should have gone with the pot roast.  A traditional, home spun, simple recipe. A crowd pleaser.  But rather, I chose what I imagined a more elegant entrée for the upcoming dinner I would be preparing for my husband’s brother and new girlfriend.  “Slow Simmer Halibut,” was the name the recipe book had dubbed it.  I had illusions far more grandeur with perhaps a tweak or two.

It is an age-old struggle.

That nagging but harmless question swirling in and out of my daily consciousness, “What should I make for dinner tonight?”  My sister once told me she had read a magazine article advising that the ten top stresses in life included not only the death of a loved one and public speaking, but what to make for dinner.

So, when I saw the gleaming crock pot that day in Costco, it was not the actual appliance that beckoned, but, rather the shiny, four-color recipe book attached, wrought with possibility.  Arriving home with this fabulous trophy I sat in bliss, pouring over the pages in awe and wonder.  But first things first — what to make for the special upcoming dinner?  I again turned to the halibut recipe, ignoring the nagging voice whispering, warning “never try a new recipe for a special occasion, never, never, never….”

Later that evening, I lounged with our guests on the sofa, sipping wine and chatting contentedly.  The table was set, the ambiance was jovial and my divine creation simmering in the kitchen, ready to be served at a moment’s notice. The beauty of a crock pot I thought happily, was that the dish could simmer indefinitely allowing more time for cocktails and chat.  Now where exactly did I read that?  “More wine anyone?”

At last the hour was upon us. My guests sat in anticipation at the elegantly set dining room table, amid flickering candle light and the strains of Nat King Cole.  Approaching the crock pot I lifted the lid then stared down in confusion.  The four pieces of halibut, which hours earlier had appeared firm and beautiful, had vanished.  I frantically ladled the mixture hoping to uncover the wayward fish.  Gone.  My dinner had turned to liquid.  Could I possibly pass it off as bouillabaisse?

I realized it was the tweak. Earlier in the day in a flurry of over confidence and mania, I had tossed a cup and a half of heavy cream into the pot in the hopes of achieving a rich and velvety texture to the halibut.  This tweak that was not found in any recipe book but rather, was spurred on by the excitement of owning the shiny new crock pot and the endless opportunity for creative enhancement. Yes, creative cooking at its finest.

I poured the entrée into four serving bowls and confidentially approached the table. As I placed the first dish before my brother in-law, I carefully refused to meet my husband’s eye. “Rolls for dipping” I sang, as I disappeared back into the kitchen. Thank god the guests were family, I thought.

“What exactly is this called?” ” My husband finally dared.  “Halibut a la cream!” I replied casually, my voice steady and confident

And as our spoons clinked in silence, somewhere in the distance, I heard Julia Child sobbing.

Published by Kathy Simmons

I am an ex New Yorker who still misses the vibrancy of the city. I seek out the humor in every day life and relay it through my stories in the hope others will appreciate as well. I love to write about growing up with my fantastically unique Irish mother whose memory inspires me every day. Although she is no longer with us, her antics are an endless staple for my tales. I currently live in Connecticut with my husband, two sons and toy fox terrier Anabel.

22 thoughts on “The Crockpot”

  3. Rings such a bell! The age old conundrum of “what am I going to make for dinner?” Such a pressure and the end of the day hinges upon it…. or it used to. 🙂 Nowadays it is what can I throw together that’s healthy and I have handy!!! I have been intrigued by crockpots for a long time but never bought one. What is the difference between a CP and a Dutch oven on a low simmer? I too have heard to never experiment with new recipes when it matters…. but I love the halibut soup and thank goodness you had dinner rolls!!!! Wonder what the girlfriend thought? I hope she laughed as much as you were inside. Great story! Very relatable!

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  5. I am married to one of those people who is not afraid to try a new recipe out on company. We have never had to resort to a backup pizza, but it was close a time or two!

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  8. You sure did better than I probably would have. Most likely I would have dumped it and suggest we go out to eat. 🙂 Good for you making your own special dish from it. It seems everyone enjoyed it.

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  10. I am amazed how brave and adventurist you must be! To both try out the new dish on friends, but to adjust the recipe on a whim… I am humbled, I would not ever be so brave. My blogmate, Neville might be so. And doesn’t it seem that whenever we do get brave enough to try new things, that wonderful rewards can happen! 🏄‍♂️

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