Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

sriracha, tabasco, tabasco chipotle, and asian garlic chili paste.

Wow, that was a long read and I'm super late to the party, but I wanted to add my 2c.

I grew up loving to eat, my bf grew up eating cuz he was hungry. His dad was super picky so he took on a lot of those assumptions about food items (without trying them).

When we met, I wasn't as obsessed with food as I am now, but I did eat a lot of things that he was like "Uh, no." I thought he was strange for never having tried them, and he thought I was strange for eating them. My oblivion to just how strange he thought I was led to my being able to un-self consciously relish whatever I was eating anyway, while he quietly ate his chicken dishes. He later told me that seeing me enjoy so many different things he'd never considered eating before really made him want to try the same things - afterall, he thought I was awesome, why would I eat un-awesome things?

After we moved in together, I instated a rule: you have to try two bites before you can say "I don't like this," and not eat it. I don't make things that I know he won't like - I'm a fair judge of what flavors and tastes he likes and doesn't like by now - so this works out in all of our favors. If I make something that I think he won't like, I tell him he can try it, but I also warn him that he doesn't have to try it (it's exempt from the rule), and that I made it with only my palate in mind. This has worked well for us.

About a year ago, he was talking to a friend of his while I was nearby, and I overheard him listing off all the things he would never have eaten if it weren't for me. The list ranged from seafood (he used to claim he didn't eat ANY seafood) - clams, eel, calamari, etc. and even sushi! - to various vegetables, hummus, lamb, pork chops, etc.

I don't think he'll ever be a foodie, and that's fine by me. He doesn't cook - also fine by me. I love him, he loves me, and he respects my obsession with food and indulges much of this habit. We indulge each other's passions by encouraging them and occasionally by sharing moments in each with the other. This works because it's been 6 years and we've done a lot of growing with each other. Admittedly, there was a patch of time where he didn't understand my growing obsession with food, but we got past that.

Having said all that, if we were to break up today, and I had to go back into the dating pool, I would try not to date a picky eater. If I fell in love, well, so be it, I'll do it all over again (and for my current bf, I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat), but I'd prefer not to. Probably because I'm a lot crazier about food now than I was 6 years ago.

Anyway, to the original poster, I think if things are working the way they are, please don't sneak veggies into his dishes. I find that just strange and unnecessary and extremely mommy-ing. Your original question just seems to be what we think about it... I think it's fine, give it time and maybe he'll want to try your veggies. If not... well don't cook around him too much, tell him he can pick out the veggies if he doesn't like them (I make a wicked fried rice that has veggies in it, and they're kinda small, bf just eats it and admits it adds to the flavor, haha). :) Patience and I do agree if he's being a jerk about things and just refusing to try things - that's an issue. Otherwise, I don't think it's that big of a deal. Haha yes I took all these words to say just that one little thing ;)

I will date you twoojoe. You sound too good to be true.

And when it comes to vegetables I am a picky eater too. But I've found that if I mash something like cauliflower with potatoes, or I blend/puree vegetables when I'm making a soup it's much more tolerable. Today I made eggplant "chips" and they were great.

I have been married to my husband for 26 years and have 3 children. I live to cook, it is what I love to do most but all 4 of them are extremely picky. My husband eats no vegetables other than lettuce, tomato on tacos or sandwiches and raw baby carrots and corn on the cob. No potatoes other than some fries, occasional instant mashed and baked potatoes. No rice, not big on pasta but will eat spaghetti with Ragu. Only beef and chicken, no fish, pork, etc. Only likes pizza from one place and could survive on cheese sandwiches, bread, and turkey sandwiches. My kids on the other hand eat no sandwiches, eggs, pasta, cheese, seafood, sauces, gravies, beans, you name it they don't eat it. It's horrible trying to come up with meals to feed everyone. I gave up eating dinner long ago because their meals are too boring. We almost never eat out and when we do it's always Outback and they all get sirloin and fries. They also recently started eating the bread and bloomin' onion so we are making progress. That being said...

We have an amazingly, happy, fight free marriage. Food makes me happy, they all eat to survive. They can't change me and I can't change them. My husband is a wonderful man and I have incredible kids, if you BFis special don't let food get between you and happiness.

Thanks for all of the suggestions and comments. I've enjoyed this much more than I thought and the fact that this turning into a dating service (complete with an offer!) was hilarious. On a serious note, I definitely appreciate the suggestions on dishes and ways to incorporate our food differences. It's nice to know that other have successfully handled this issue and I've started to see this as a cooking challenge!

I deal with this daily. My husband grew up with a SUPER picky family. Because of this, my husband only eats corn, green beans, potatoes, asparagus, bell peppers, and zucchini.

I keep bags of his favorite frozen veggies and make single sized portions for dinner. Then I can eat whatever veggies I want without the fuss.

Sometimes he'll ask me what I'm eating, I'll give him a bite, if he likes it - it goes into the routine. If not, oh well. It's really manageable once you figure out what he likes and dislikes.

Awww, Joe. Good luck to you!

@Ribster - I hope Mag13 read your comments and took them to heart. I agree with your point wholeheartedly!

I love you guys, and I am amazed more and more everyday about how genuine and caring the members of SE are, more importantly I really believe that we all share a similar way of thinking, not just about food but the fact that we are so loyal to this site and are always ready to lend a hand to each other. Whether its figuring out what to bring to you're bosses pot luck or what the next step in life should be. I would come to you guys before I approached my family or friends in many situations. I don't know if its the anonymous factor of the format or the fact that we share with each other several times a day.
I have become so disenfranchised with my friends and the drudge of everyday life after college, its a tough transition! But a few times everyday I come on SE for 10-15 minutes and I am able to forget about everything except the delectable savoriness of fresh game or the salty goodness of our favorite topic (bacon). And today the way you guys reached out to me, it really touched me. It may just be karma or sheer good luck but having people, even being online friends, seeming to care is exactly what I needed. This may be a little TMI so I am sorry but Its been a tough day and i needed a format to vent. If I had a blog I would have went there, but alas, no blog. So SE thanks for being there, and thanks for being my friends!!!

I say someone needs to go out with Joe. There he is girls, nice, a foodie, good job, takes care of himself. We have a winner. We have now moved to a dating thread. When it works it is damn good isn't it?

Dump him and date me;
22yr old Male
Accounting and Intl Business degrees from Villanova
5'9" and very athletic
Dark hair and dark eyes
Employed as a Corporate Account Rep for a Wine and Liquor Distribution Company
I enjoy cooking, working out, the beach, snowboarding, traveling, and spending time with my family
I am a hopless romantic and more importanly I enjoy all foods and will eat anything you were to serve me!

My, this is a lively discussion. What a feisty bunch!
I've been married for the past 18 years to a man who is a bit picky when it comes to vegetables. My 14 year old son has inherited dad's vegtable aversion. I say, more for me and my 10 year old veggie lovin' son. I hand my husband and my 14 year old a multi vitamin and a glass of V-8 Fusion juice and leave it at that. And hey, they don't give me a hard time about not eating red meat--so I'm not going harp on them.

This MAY be the cream of the crop of SE threads. I am actually in awe of some of the responses. Are you people on glue? Did you get into the apple wine again?

You guys have the audacity worry about ME and my bitter/anger/bitchitry? Give me break. About 90% of you need a good railing and a reality check. I will toast this thread tonight, ladies. HYSTERICAL.

Tabasco sauce is #1. It seems to have gotten better over the years. The quality and taste are superb. I recently visited the island where it is made in Avery Island, LA and was pleasantly surprised at how beautiful the place is. Give it a try-you won't be disappointed. I personally love their Habanero sauce!