Don't Change

Chicken Katsu Bento Bowl with Jasmine Rice & Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas

Gatherer and I had our 11 year anniversary this weekend. Last year I planned the anniversary of a life time. We had dinner out 2 nights on the actual weekend, I bought fancy clothes, we went crazy and I even had 2 mixed drinks with my dinner, we had appetizers, baby sitters, and then in November when school died down and we had off from work we took a few extra days and went to an all inclusive in Mexico. Gatherer figured if someone could tolerate her for a decade it was something to brag about. This year was more like our normal life. I cooked dinner Friday and Saturday, we went to the gym, we ran errands, we did projects around the house (y'all my dryer is on the fritz and I'm grasping at straws right now to fix it). Hunter was generous and kind and made space for me to go to my favorite bar and watch my favorite team play in the Division championship, Braves are headed to the World Series for the first time since 1999, so bittersweet that my Memaw didn't get to see one more, but you can bet I'll be thinking of her every play. We splurged on dinner at our local all you can eat sushi play and took the Natives. I couldn't find a coupon to honor Hunter's more frugal side but I did the math every step of the way to make sure it was worth the money we spent out.

One of the things I did as part of the celebration was to order a few meals I thought would be nicer. I accepted I might have to fight the natives to eat but I wanted to show my love in the only way I know how, and cook for the people I love. This meal did not disappoint. The slaw was a mix with a premade dressing that was quite good. I even served the rice using a ramekin as a mold. The chicken was cooked perfectly, and the breading a panko mix that was light but crispy. The katsu sauce came premade and seemed almost like a hoisin sauce, I would probably just sub with that when making on my own in the future. Everyone ate this and everyone enjoyed it. I may have had several glasses of vino while making but I think I can safely say this is a solid rating of...

4 sweet teas

Maybe Gatherer is a sucker for Asian flavors but honestly, this was one of the better Gobble meals. Easy enough to replicate, bold and interesting flavor, and most importantly Native and Hunter approved. For anyone wondering on the title pun this time, Don't Change is one of my favorite songs about loving someone even as time marches on and we change. While I certainly say don't change a thing about this recipe, I'm also throwing a bit of a shout out to Hunter.