My husband seems to think that I only cook for my blog and perceives me as a food critic rather than a cook. Seriously?
As someone who loves to dine out, perhaps that is true, but really, who likes to (or even has time to) cook every single day and then clean up and blog and work fulltime? Well, I am not ashamed to admit that I don’t cook every single day. 
Being that I am a food blogger, I do have an agenda to make dishes I normally wouldn’t even prepare if I didn’t have a blog.
I certainly wouldn’t say I only cook for my blog, in addition to my blog dishes, I do make a few dishes that don’t even make it to the blog just to keep the hubby happy.
But my husband seems to think otherwise. Just the other day I overheard him talking to his friend about my blog…
his friend: Man, you are so lucky, you get to eat all those dishes Nisha makes.
hubby: Yeah, but she’s a moody cook, she only cooks when she feels like it. She likes to review food more than cook it.
his friend: Man, I still don’t feel sorry for you. If you get to eat every single dish she has ever made for her blog, you are one lucky guy.
hubby: Yeah, I guess. <chuckles, but doesn’t really think so>
My reaction to their conversation… <pardon me while I roll my eyes> 
My husband has such a tough life! 
So now when he says I’m not a cook, I just comply, for I am a Food Critic, probably sounds better too. And you know what, it’s better this way so he expects less of me.
Well, here’s a dish my husband loves and one I’ve made oh about a dozen times and its just making it to the blog, imagine that. A tartine where I combined Italian and Greek flavors… homemade fresh basil pesto, creamy hummus, sautéed tomatoes in olive oil with a touch of oregano. 
Make this. ASAP! You won’t be sorry! I’m a Food Critic, remember? 
NUTRITION: Tomato is a good source of Vitamin E and is a very good source of Fiber, Vitamins A, C, and K. Pesto is an excellent source of Vitamin K, Omega 3 Fatty Acids (if using walnuts) and a very good source of Iron, Calcium, and Vitamin A. Hummus is a good source of Fiber, Protein, and Omega 3 Fatty Acids.
Keep in mind however, both Pesto and Hummus are made with olive oil, and although olive oil is good for you, it is still a fat and should be eaten in moderation. For a healthier option, make your own! Pesto (use this recipe). Hummus (use this recipe).
INGREDIENTS (for 2 to 3 servings or a great appetizer):
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil Garlic Infused – 1 tbsp
- Salt – to taste
- Black Pepper – to taste
- Tomatoes – 2 (slightly thinly sliced)
- Oregano – 1/3 tsp
- 100% Whole Wheat Bread – 4 slices (toasted until crispy)
- Pesto – enough to spread on toast (use this vegan recipe & freeze for later)
- Trader Joe’s Tuscan White Bean Hummus – enough to spread on toast
DIRECTIONS:
1. Here are your main ingredients.
2. Start by slicing tomatoes, not too thin, but not thick either, just the right size.
3. Heat a pan on medium to high heat (dial #7), once hot, add extra virgin olive oil (garlic infused preferable).
4. Place the sliced tomatoes and they will begin to sizzle. Allow the tomatoes to cook up for about 5-6 minutes.
5. In the meantime, place 4 slices of toast in the toaster. Toast until crispy.
6. Once the tomatoes are done, season with salt and black pepper to taste. 
7. Flip. Notice the tomatoes blackened, this adds a TON of flavor. 
8. Now season the blackened side with salt & black pepper to taste, plus a little bit of dried oregano. Don’t go overboard with the oregano since it is potent. Allow the tomatoes to cook for about 5 minutes on this side as well.
9. Once done, turn off the stove. This is what you should have.
10. Check on the toast. 
11. Slice into triangles if you are serving the tartines as appetizers, or leave the toast as is.
12. Begin by spreading pesto on the toast. I make my own pesto (this recipe) and freeze it, you can always buy pesto. 
13. Followed by creamy hummus on top, love Trader Joe’s Tuscan White Bean Hummus or use your favorite brand, or homemade works too.
14. Top with sautéed tomatoes. Drizzle some Extra Virgin Olive Oil on top if serving as an appetizer and if fat is not an issue. Serve immediately. 
TELL ME: Are you a Food Blogger? Does your significant other believe you only cook for your blog? If so, how do you defend yourself? For the rest of you… regardless of whether you have kids or not, do you cook daily?
Well, whatever be the reason but the end result must be fruitful. Whether you cook for blog or for human, the end result goes in the stomach of your husband and I think, he must be really enjoying it. 🙂
Thanks Ash.. exactly, either way he enjoys what I make, so why the discussion in the first place, right?
Whether or not you cook for the blog, your hubby is one lucky guy- all your food always looks so yummy and lucky for him, he gets the best job: quality control ;)! I give credit to moms who work full-time and then come home to cook a full-on meal for the family…if I can do that even 3 times a week when my time comes, I'll be happy!
Awww… thanks K! I try. I have no idea how working moms do it with a fulltime job.. by then I'd hope I can chill out at home.. but having a kid somehow seems like more work to me than leaving the house and earning. So lucky you're young!!!
The significant others of food bloggers are so funny! Sometimes I think the.boy doesn't realize just how good he has it to always have dinner ready and waiting when he gets home. I mean, really?!
Girl, I have no idea how you even cook every night being a medical student and all. Some guys don't realize how good they have it.
Ha ha ha… Think we both are same…. I cook for my blog nd other days my maid cooks for the family… Even we fight coz of this…. I don't want to cook the same dishe again again and always end with different n new dishes… but I love being what I am…. Btw the hummus with tomatoes looks incredible…. Z
Lol.. love it that you have a maid, once in a while I will hire someone to make a few rotis and Indian food cause I can't cook for my blog and whip out Indian food whenever I want. I hardly ever make the same dish over and over, unless it's super easy and I get on food on the table quick. Thanks Akila, hope you try it.
Omg I love this! I'm making something similar today but adding prosciutto on top and cream cheese instead of hummus. My boyfriend will come home and see me cooking and say, "Oh is it recipe day for the blog?" I just shut him down and tell him I cooked because I was hungry.
Honestly I wish he would start a blog so I can challenge all the food he makes!
Thanks Tara.. I shared your comment with my husband and he was laughing… so GLAD I'm not the only person out there who cooks for my blog + the guy! Just like you, I play the "i am hungry card" and I just thought of this recipe… but I was planning it in my head the entire time.
I hope he starts a blog, he already picked out a domain – http://www.honeywhatsNOTcooking.com 🙁
This is so funny…love how you are on a totally different page, as is the case with me and Ali – all the time! Yes, your husband has it SO rough. 🙂
I am partial to tartines because why not enjoy double the bread instead of folding it into a sandwich, right? Looks delicious.
Yeah, him and I are on different pages most of the time, I'm always right though. 🙂 Exactly.. love tartines too, and sometimes single bread will suffice when you wanna cut back. 🙂
Whenever I read about you and your husband's conversations or debates, it makes me chuckle! 😉 And don't feel bad, you're not the only one that doesn't cook every single day. That's exhausting! Especially for a food blogger who has to shop, cook, clean-up, photograph, write and publish! Who has the time to cook every single day? And there's nothing wrong with being a food critic. I critique the food whenever I'm eating out! Everyone has their standards. 😉 Oh and by the way, this tartine looks amazing Nisha. Pinning!!! 🙂 Have a great week.
Haha.. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one.. so much work to do as a food blogger.. shop, cook, clean, photograph, write, publish! Yup! My standards are pretty high with food, I can't help it. Thanks Anne… God help me if I "ever" have kids!
Yummy!!! This looks so good. Love healthy and quick meals like this.
Thanks Natalie.. me too.. especially when living with a guy.
The tartine looks wonderful…no wonder your hubby loves it.
Yes he does.. thank you!
Tartines!!! Such a delicious breakfast/snack/dinner. Love the pics!
Thanks Lauren.. you're so sweet. Definitely a good snack and dinner, not sure about breakfast. 🙂
Absolutely love tartines!! So fresh and a very snack any time of the day!! Don't worry about your Husband. Sometimes they have too many opinions on everything, even when it's not their forte 😉
I know, right. My husband butts in on every single thing I do or cook. So annoying. 🙂
Tartines are so much fun and Honey, these tartines look so good!
Thanks Nik. Hope you try them. So good.
Tartines are so fresh and delicious, pesto and hummus in one? It is perfect 😀
And your photos are lovely!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thanks Ccu. Pesto and hummus in one is fantastic. Omg, just bursting with flavor.
This looks awesome. I am in the same boat as you. I think if I didn't have a food blog I wouldn't try baking or cooking all of the different foods I do. My husbands friends do admit it time and time again. They are jealous he gets to eat all of the good foods I make, and not only that. The fact that he looks so good because he gets to eat healthy. Like I tell him, your life span increased at least 10-15 yr by being with me, and he knows it 🙂
Yup. If I didn't have a food blog I wouldn't have the incentive to make half of what I do. And yes, my husb and I both love out desserts, but I cook healthy which keeps him healthy. He'll realize it at 80!!! 🙂
these husbands – they are all cut from the same cloth. I can see hints of my conversations at home.
That Tartine looks particularly delicious – I'm a huge fan of tartines and all the mediterranean flavors – I love the work you've put into the toppings.
I dont "cook" every night – but we try to eat in on week nights. Its usually some quick-put-together meals. On weekends,I go to my kitchen to make coffee! that's it. The exception is food for my toddler – I fix his meals on weekends if we aren't eating out – whether cook or pull something out of the freezer.
I love all Mediterranean flavors. I know Indian husbands in particular are more demanding I feel, thanks to their moms!
Your husband is sooo lucky to have you and eat all the delicious things you cook! I thInk having a blog makes you think of more creative things to cook..
It sure makes you think outside the box and I know I wouldn't be making half of what I do without the blog.
I really had fun reading this post. I can just imagine you rolling the eyes on your hubby. They can be so funny. Let's be named Food critic, sounds very fancy..
Love tartines and this one is a simple and good looking.
Thanks Asha, glad you enjoyed it. Lol! I'd much rather be a food critic, tells me I know what I'm talking about. Hope you try this. Thanks.
This sounds absolutely perfect to me! That white bean hummus from Trader Joe's is one of my favorite things to buy there. 🙂
Thanks Kiersten. I loveeeeeeeeeee the White Bean Hummus at TJs.. it's awesome!
Hey, I suppose I havent commented before, I am a new reader, and I have thoroughly enjoyed your posts.
I do try to cook everyday atleast on the weekdays, because weekends are busy with socializing with friends, and other chores which leave me little to no time for cooking. So weekdays I like for us to have home cooked healthy food. Another very secret reason for not eating out often is the *pickiness of husband's food choices* (which also hampers my home cooked meals). So to find a good place to eat nearby with considerations of hubby's tastebuds and our vegetarianism is quite a task sometimes, I rather just fix something up in the kitchen.
Anyway this looks delicious, I will definitely try it. Hummus and pesto are two of my favorite spreads, and the combination has to be deadly!
Thanks,
Pankti
Thanks Pankti, that's so sweet of you to say. I'm the opposite 🙂 It's hard for me to cook regularly on weekdays because my commute drains me, but I'll do something light. The hummus and pesto together is a divine concoction. Hope you try it.