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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think this is not an edible meal

159 replies

Lockheart · 10/09/2017 21:28

I'm studying for some critical exams. My bf very kindly offered to cook for me - pasta with pesto, lovely. Have barely eaten all day as I've been in the library, so was ravenous.

Into this 'pasta with pesto' went 2 day old peas and chips, half a pot of tahini, some raw peanuts, an unripe avocado, and finally some actual pesto.

When I saw him about to tip the chips in (I was studying at the kitchen table but by this point was watching with horror) I said "Oh no, please don't put those in" and he got quite huffy about it, because he was making me dinner and I was sitting there and criticising (I'd also pointed out that the avocado was not ripe).

The peas would have been fine had they not been hard, the chips were burnt, I don't like tahini, and whilst I can understand peanuts in a noodle dish, I would not serve them up with pesto (just my preference).

He also served it with a side salad - just not cricket Wink

I accept he was making me dinner and it was a lovely thing to do, but AIBU to think this is not good cooking? Pasta with just pesto is so simple and would have been more than fine.

This is a man who, upon being told I'd like to cook Mexican one evening (id been dreaming about fajitas all day), took the whole thing over; he insisted on buying veal mine (it was more than the beef mince, but it was reduced!), then put mushrooms, cashew nuts, and sultanas in with the meat. And then, to add insult to injury, tipped my pan of refried beans into the whole thing. I could do nothing but watch as my lovely and much dreamed of Mexican literally went down the pan Sad

I love the bloke and I appreciate that he cooks for me, but how can I get him to stop cooking like a student and actually cook me something edible? He's 33, for reference...

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MistyMinge · 10/09/2017 21:37

What the fuck! That sounds absolutely minging. Chips mixed into pasta pesto?? I'm a greedy bitch, but there's no way that would be making its way to my stomach.

NotTheDuchessOfCambridge · 10/09/2017 21:38

This has made me actually laugh out loud!
You poor thing! What does he think he's doing? He's just looked in the fridge and thrown everything in! It has tickled me Smile

AyeAyeFishyPie · 10/09/2017 21:38

That's just poor. And getting pissy over it is very childish (on his part). Waste of good ingredients and very frustrating for you. Cook book for him? Do u have anything else in the house u can eat?

Lockheart · 10/09/2017 21:39

Yes he ate it too. He said he liked it (although he admitted the chips were "a bit stale" - I'm not surprised given that we cooked them on Friday night!)

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Love51 · 10/09/2017 21:39

Is he being incompetent on purpose because he doesn't want to cook again for another year? He needs practice.
My DH couldn't cook when we met. I wouldn't move in with him til he could. I taught him a couple of dishes, his flatmate taught him spaghetti bol, and he worked his way through a basic cookbook.
We were Young when we met. No excuse for not knowing what I was asking for when I said 'can you get me a spatula?'

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 10/09/2017 21:39

The cookbook you bought him, was it the 'Get Stuffed' circa 1990 cookbook by any chance? Grin

Lockheart · 10/09/2017 21:40

No hula everything was mixed in with the drained pasta.

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lottiegarbanzo · 10/09/2017 21:40

Also, I don't understand this idea of 'compulsion to be grateful' because someone 'tried'. Do you do the same - do a really shit, deliberately ignorant job of something, ignoring all advice - then expect praise??? I know I don't.

MyPatronusIsAUnicorn · 10/09/2017 21:41

That sounds rank.

Why on earth would anyone put old, cold chips into a meal?! Confused and why would you have chips with pasta?!

Ecureuil · 10/09/2017 21:41

That sounds absolutely vile.
Just for contrast, my DH does all our cooking. Tonight we had Thai chicken noodle broth and prawn crackers.

wotabastard · 10/09/2017 21:41

What the hell is wrong with him? I'm just...there's no words!

wotabastard · 10/09/2017 21:44

Although, why the hell would anyone keep old peas and chips? Couple of hours after serving they're ready for the bin. Maybe control portion sizes to avoid waste rather than keep them as leftovers. Yuck!

E17Stowmum · 10/09/2017 21:45

That is sexist. Men can cook, many women can't . Manners please.

Lockheart · 10/09/2017 21:45

Judas it was Ottenghi - he's a fan.

NottheDuchess - yes I also see the funny side now, but I admit I didn't when it was being committed in front of me.

I fully admit I am not good at all with confrontation, and I was starving, and I was (am) knackered. I told him it was a very unusual combination and his argument is that he's being creative and I should be more open minded Hmm

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RhiWrites · 10/09/2017 21:46

Gingernaut called it. That is compost material.

thenightsky · 10/09/2017 21:46

Chips? Chips???

Lockheart · 10/09/2017 21:47

E17 I haven't said anything about men as a group not being able to cook (the cookbook I bought him is by a male chef for crying out loud). But this one can't!

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CornyCollins · 10/09/2017 21:48

Ugh, sounds like my DH. He used to make sandwiches sometimes for himself when I was pregnant with our first DD and I would literally have to leave the room. To this day the smell of Doritos salsa still makes me gag!

He's improved over time and now makes an awesome chicken soup! Only took 15 years.....

E17Stowmum · 10/09/2017 21:49

Cooking for you is lovely. The cooking needs some nurture. Imagine a good man cooking for you.

paranoidpammywhammy2 · 10/09/2017 21:49

I am so very thankful to be single. My Ex was a terrible cook but he thought he was Gordon Ramsey.

He has actually improved now but he still has some eccentric ideas.

I would plan the weeks worth of meals and then he would cook some strange combinations and use up all the food in 4 days. He didn't do leftovers! He would just bin it.

Ecureuil · 10/09/2017 21:50

Cooking for you is lovely. The cooking needs some nurture. Imagine a good man cooking for you

WTF?!

Spam88 · 10/09/2017 21:50

I'm desperately trying to work out what other thing 'chips' could mean because surely, SURELY, no one puts chips in pasta??

Also, he doesn't understand what Mexican food is.

Longdistance · 10/09/2017 21:51

Oh to fuck! This is why I NEVER let my Dh cook. He seems to throw stuff into the dinners without asking. He's made dinners before and I've thrown them in the bin in front of him, then made myself something edible.

It's the, 'lets use this up, chuck it in', and then it taste rank. Mil has done this before, so I know where it comes from Hmm

PinkHeart5913 · 10/09/2017 21:51

Blimey, Chips in pasta pesto? Seriously LTB! Well nobody has ever taught him to cook have they?

Also very childish on his part to get annoyed when you asked him not to put chips in. When cooking for someone surely you at least aim for a meal they can tolerate eating?

Also who keeps chips they cooked on a Friday and eats them on a Sunday? Like why would you? 😂

Lockheart · 10/09/2017 21:52

They're exactly what you're imagining Spam. McCains crinkle cut, if you want to know.

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