(Disclaimer: Names have been changed to protect identities.)
During Christmas, every year, my dads side of the family gathers in my Grandmother's cozy home. When I walk through her front door, warmth rushes to greet and embrace me. The kitchen aroma’s waft down the halls, filling them with such vibrance you can nearly taste the food.
After arriving, it never takes too long for the rest of the family to file in. It’s exciting when the rush of cold air suddenly surprises me, and I turn to see another face of somebody I love. I like to watch excitedly as others open their presents. Seeing their faces becoming bright, beaming smiles is what really makes holiday cheer.
Every Christmas, Hector comes to eat dinner. If I had to guess his age, he’s probably between 60 and 80, with blonde hair, blue eyes and a tall figure that goes underestimated since he spends the whole time at family events sitting. For a couple years, I didn't really know he was. (Recently, he's been bringing his girlfriend, Raelyn, and she's far more social than Hector. Last year she was yelling loudly about how Santa brought me so many things. I didn't know how to tell her...)
His posture is always straighter than a ruler. I’m convinced that the royal-blue suit he wears is how he maintains his strict posture at a perfect, 90 degree angle.
Hector doesn’t ever get up to help prepare, cook or clean the food. He does not mash potatoes, strip the herbs or even season anything. Instead, he perches atop the fading cushions in the living room, like a fancy peacock, waiting on his food.
When the food is ready, Hector will stride his way to food with calculated precision to ensure the fastest route. One year, he decided to politely scrape off the entirety of cheese, baked carefully atop the mashed potatoes, onto his plate.
It is a known fact that Hector loves to scrape the cheese off of anything he can. He isn’t mean, just quite inconsiderate, whether he intends to be or not.
It always gives me something to think about for next Christmas; I wonder, will Hector help contribute this Christmas, or will he help by eliminating cheese?
After arriving, it never takes too long for the rest of the family to file in. It’s exciting when the rush of cold air suddenly surprises me, and I turn to see another face of somebody I love. I like to watch excitedly as others open their presents. Seeing their faces becoming bright, beaming smiles is what really makes holiday cheer.
Every Christmas, Hector comes to eat dinner. If I had to guess his age, he’s probably between 60 and 80, with blonde hair, blue eyes and a tall figure that goes underestimated since he spends the whole time at family events sitting. For a couple years, I didn't really know he was. (Recently, he's been bringing his girlfriend, Raelyn, and she's far more social than Hector. Last year she was yelling loudly about how Santa brought me so many things. I didn't know how to tell her...)
His posture is always straighter than a ruler. I’m convinced that the royal-blue suit he wears is how he maintains his strict posture at a perfect, 90 degree angle.
Hector doesn’t ever get up to help prepare, cook or clean the food. He does not mash potatoes, strip the herbs or even season anything. Instead, he perches atop the fading cushions in the living room, like a fancy peacock, waiting on his food.
When the food is ready, Hector will stride his way to food with calculated precision to ensure the fastest route. One year, he decided to politely scrape off the entirety of cheese, baked carefully atop the mashed potatoes, onto his plate.
It is a known fact that Hector loves to scrape the cheese off of anything he can. He isn’t mean, just quite inconsiderate, whether he intends to be or not.
It always gives me something to think about for next Christmas; I wonder, will Hector help contribute this Christmas, or will he help by eliminating cheese?
RECIPE:
Preheat oven to 350-375 (depends on oven)
Ingredients:
Cheese (This recipe calls for old cheddar, but any should work) - LOTS (for scraping purposes)
Yukon gold Potatoes - 2-5 (Depending on the quantity you want)
Yellow onion - 1
Cremini mushrooms - 1 Pack
Garlic - 1
Milk - To taste
Butter - 1/2 cup
Salt and Pepper- to taste
1) Peel potatoes and begin boiling them for roughly 20-30 minutes.
2) Shred cheese - (Note: you use a lot of cheese in the potatoes, so adjust as needed based on quantity. If you have company who will scrape cheese off the top, add more than you think you'll need.)
3) Cut yellow onion and cremini mushrooms into slices.
4) Dice garlic.
5) Sauté yellow onion, mushroom and garlic until soft - season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
6) Mash potatoes with milk, butter, salt & pepper and cheese. Once thoroughly mashed add mushroom/onion mix, combine well.
7) Place potato mixture into a baking dish, top with more cheese and bake.
8) Keep an eye on baking. Take out when cheese is crusted and bubbly.
9) Hope nobody will steal all the cheese and enjoy!
Preheat oven to 350-375 (depends on oven)
Ingredients:
Cheese (This recipe calls for old cheddar, but any should work) - LOTS (for scraping purposes)
Yukon gold Potatoes - 2-5 (Depending on the quantity you want)
Yellow onion - 1
Cremini mushrooms - 1 Pack
Garlic - 1
Milk - To taste
Butter - 1/2 cup
Salt and Pepper- to taste
1) Peel potatoes and begin boiling them for roughly 20-30 minutes.
2) Shred cheese - (Note: you use a lot of cheese in the potatoes, so adjust as needed based on quantity. If you have company who will scrape cheese off the top, add more than you think you'll need.)
3) Cut yellow onion and cremini mushrooms into slices.
4) Dice garlic.
5) Sauté yellow onion, mushroom and garlic until soft - season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
6) Mash potatoes with milk, butter, salt & pepper and cheese. Once thoroughly mashed add mushroom/onion mix, combine well.
7) Place potato mixture into a baking dish, top with more cheese and bake.
8) Keep an eye on baking. Take out when cheese is crusted and bubbly.
9) Hope nobody will steal all the cheese and enjoy!