If you cook regularly for other people, you’ve probably discovered something pretty quickly: Not every meal is for everyone. Over time, I’ve realized there are certain recipes or ingredients that one of us loves and the other one could happily skip forever.
Instead of trying to force every dinner into something we both love, we’ve naturally developed what I call “his and her meals.” These are the recipes that show up when it makes the most sense for the person who actually wants them.
Sometimes that means lunches for me. Sometimes that means dinner for Paul when I’m not home. And honestly? It works really well.
My Meals
These are the foods I enjoy but know Paul probably wouldn’t choose if he had a vote. They’re just more my style than his. Because he’s home for dinner most days, these meals usually show up as my lunches instead of family dinners.
Anything with Shrimp
Shrimp is probably the biggest example.
Shrimp pasta, shrimp tacos, shrimp bowls, I love all of it. It’s light, quick to cook, and easy to build a meal around.
Paul, on the other hand, hates shrimp. So instead of making it for dinner and getting a lukewarm reaction, I usually save shrimp meals for my own lunches.
Salads
Another one firmly in my column is salads as an actual meal.
I love a big salad with lots of toppings. I love grilled chicken, vegetables, cheese, maybe a good homemade dressing. To me it’s fresh, filling, and a nice break from heavier dinners.
Paul tends to see salad as more of a side dish than the main event, so these usually stay on my personal menu rather than the family dinner table.
His Meals
Then there are the recipes that are very clearly Paul’s favorites. These are the meals I usually make when I know I won’t be home for dinner, or when I want to make something that I know he’ll really enjoy.
Chili
Chili is probably the number one example. Here’s the funny part: I don’t actually like chili. But Paul loves it. And according to him, I apparently make really good chili for someone who doesn’t even enjoy eating it.
Because of that, chili usually shows up on nights when I won’t be around for dinner. He gets a meal he loves, and I don’t feel bad skipping it.
Cheeseburgers
Cheeseburgers are another one that leans more toward his side.
I don’t dislike burgers, I’ll happily eat one, but I’m also perfectly fine going a long time without having one.
For Paul, though, a good cheeseburger is always a solid dinner choice. So when I’m planning meals that are specifically for him, this one often makes the list.
Italian Braciole
This is a new addition to Paul’s favorites.
I recently made Italian Braciole for one of my recipe reviews, and while it wasn’t necessarily my favorite dish, Paul absolutely loved it.
That automatically earned it a spot on his list of meals I’ll make when I want to do something a little special for him.
Not Every Meal Has to Please Everyone
One of the things I’ve learned over time is that not every dinner has to be a universal favorite. Sometimes it’s perfectly fine for a meal to exist because one person loves it.
By separating a few meals into “his” and “hers,” we both still get the foods we enjoy without trying to force every recipe into something that works for everyone.
And honestly, it’s a lot less stressful that way.
Looking for my recipe reviews? You cand find them here! Recipe Reviews
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