I've learned a great many things from Greg over the years we've been together. He is a wiz at quick and easy things to make in the kitchen, mostly because he doesn't have the patience to wait for flavors to meld, or recipes with too many steps because that means there are that many more pans to clean. So, when we were recently invited to dine at the home of swanky friends / clients two or three hours before dinner time, I stupidly called back and said that that I would make some sort of dessert. What was I, touched in the head? It would take me at least two or three hours just to pick out the right shirt, much less whip up a dessert for a couple who make me nervous all the time. But, after all, it was a very passive invitation: There was a phone message saying that the hostess had gotten a cooking bug and since we were coming over for a fitting, and if we were hungry, there would be lasagne on the counter in the kitchen. What do you make for that? Greg had the answer..."stop worrying and dip some strawberries in milk chocolate and call it done." Here I was wondering if I had enough time to go to the store and get eggs, run to Reny's and get a souffle pan, make a chocolate souffle, AND pick out the right shirt in two or three hours...do souffles travel well anyway and will I have to iron the shirt?
A brilliant idea, that chocolate and strawberry thing. Everyone is impressed when Greg brings out this, one of his signature dishes. Its so easy, and yet most people cringe at the thought and go out to the store and buy one of those bakery cakes that taste like vanilla flavored lard for $20.00. What could be easier than melting chocolate chips in the microwave at 20 second burts between stirrings and then dipping whole strawberrys in? I even had time left over to walk the dogs and make sure my socks matched my shirt. And in case anyone told you that all gay men should be floral arrangers, check out the center of the plate where we dumped a whole bunch of purple lilac blossoms after spending 20 minutes trying to figure out how to make the darn plate "pretty" In a fit of peak, I grabbed the branch of lilacs from Greg and one of the blooms bent, so I got a bit bitchy and just ripped the flowers off the bloom and voila, instant centerpiece!

Enjoy,
Seth