My fiancés favourite dish is shepherds pie

I am an excellent cook. Truly.... I can look at a fridge of random scraps and make a gourmet meal. I think if you cook a lot of family friendly meals.... Then while they all taste good, the flavors just aren't complex. It's a delicate balance between fill the belly family meals and gourmet. And listen.... Gourmet doesn't have to mean expensive.

My partner is difficult.... Haha. He has very high brow tastes, so if I make a budget meal he isn't very good at hiding his dislike. I will never forget... I was short on time one day and heated up frozen egg rolls, homemade stir fry, and that microwave pouch jasmine rice. He ate the stir fry but egg rolls and rice he didn't touch. I can tell he wished he had ordered fast food. I will eat mediocre food, he will throw it away. I grew up in poverty and it shows haha.

Knowing his tastes are helpful.... If he likes Asian cuisine, then you can explore lots of those kinds of recipes. If he likes Mediterranean.... Then focus on Greek and Italian type flavors. If he likes American food... Then just gotta find ways to make it interesting.

But hand downs.... Look up the cookbook One Pan Two Plates. This has been my go to date night cookbook for 6 or 7 years. I had to buy a new copy because I destroyed my old one. There is also One Pan Two Plates Vegetarian. And One Pan Whole Family. Gourmet quality recipes with wine and side suggestions. Skinny Taste is also excellent! I made the Italian beef sandwiches from that blog and my LTR loved it. Very simple to make.

Feel free to DM me. Cooking is one of my top 5 skills.

question - is your husband capable of being 'wowed'?

I had a BIL who's 'wow' response was 'it's ok'

Is your husband someone who likes simple fare? My boyfriend is definitely that way. How do you plan your meals out? Like is he someone who would be happy with a homemade pasta dish or a pizza?

Some people are just hard to please. God, do I love people who are easy going and fairly easy to please.

Follow-up question - are you looking for him to be wowed or wanting him to show appreciation for your effort and thoughtfulness?

This is not meant to be a passive-aggressive critique, just trying to figure out the 'why ' behind this. What need will it meet if/when your husband gets wowed.

Food plating?

Arranging your meal like a chef could be considered a ‘WOW’ factor

Like others said, food might just not be impressive to him. Some people eat to live rather than enjoy it. If you've been cooking since you could do it and he knows that he might find that level to be expected then. My husband has been cooking far longer than me and also trains his pallete so I'm never surprised at how good his food comes out.

I'm a very good cook, while not a professional I take great pride in learning new cooking methods and perfecting dishes. My husband is almost always happy with the meal. The meals he's most impressed by? Oh just casseroles made of cream of whatever and lots of cheese. Cause that's what he grew up with.