L. and I went to our local Japanese grocery store yesterday, where they have the freshest and cheapest fish that we have found close to home. They happened to have beautiful mackerel, which L. adores and which is not always available, and he declared that he would make me dinner. Torn between pleasure at being cooked for by my teenager and trepidation at the state of my kitchen when he was done, I accepted.
I admit to giving a tiny bit of assistance with the cooking time of the fish but otherwise the meal was entirely of his own conception, preparation and plating. It was really excellent food ("top nosh Petunia") AND he cleaned up after himself.
The appetizer, as shown above, was a Carrot Top and Dandelion Green Salad with an Anchovy Oil and Mustard Vinaigrette topped with a Warm Parmesan Crisp.
The main course was Crispy Skinned Mackerel with Thyme and Tangerine Essence, Pomme-Pomme Puree and Pickled Vegetables.
I had my doubts about the pomme-pomme puree (essentially apple and potato mash) which I did not think would work, but it did.
I just don't know where the boy gets his interest in food.