Have you ever been pleasantly surprised by a wrong first impression?
Well, when I met my husband there was no instant attraction, no sparks. Even worse – just really a total lack of interest (at least on my part). I thought he was nice but just not my type. If you told me that we would end up married I would have laughed and said “NEVER”. So how did this total apathy to him lead to us walking down the aisle? Crazy world isn’t it?
To be perfectly upfront, our love story has some uh… questionable beginnings. I was working at a large bank in their treasury department selling foreign exchange and derivatives and he was working for a large corporate and part of his job involved dealing with us.
Yes… I married my client.
We had been talking over the phone for a few weeks and then decided to finally meet up for dinner. First impression, I thought he has pretty nerdy. He was constantly talking about foreign exchange and trying to get me to exchange ideas on my views on the market. Not the type of conversation to keep me interested but I had to be polite. After all, he WAS a client.
I can confidently confirm however that he liked me. A lot. How would I know? Well, he told me so – many years later. But also at that time, actions spoke much MUCH louder than words.
Smoked Ocean Trout, Cream Cheese and Lime wrapped in Squid Ink Pasta
Thinking about it now, he was a quite clever. He knew I didn’t like him in that way so he worked on my parents instead. He asked if he could come and visit me at home and immediately won my parents over when he brought them a triple layered chocolate cake.
My Dad was over the moon to find out that he played tennis and they teed up a time to play tennis once or twice a week. I thought that he enjoyed playing tennis so early in the morning (waking up at 4:30 every morning to get to my house at 6:00) but it was only years later that I found out that he struggled to wake up so early but did it to spend time with my Dad.
My Mom was always asking why I didn’t like him when he was such a lovely young boy, of course she was asking this as she wolfed down the latest cake he brought to the house.
At work, it was no different. Everyday at 3:00 pm he would send incredibly delicious Belgian Waffles when I so badly needed a sugar fix. On Valentine’s Day I arrived at my office and there he was, with a dozen red long stemmed roses.
He was persistent and wasn’t shy to show his feelings.
I was uneasy.
I knew I didn’t like him and it was awkward because I didn’t want to upset our working relationship – which was fantastic. So I decided to be honest and admitted that I “didn’t feel the same way”. His response was something along the lines of “that’s okay – I just enjoy your company – I am not looking for anything more”.
One time he invited for dinner. I made up an excuse that I was going to see a movie with my sisters. A few days later he asked “how was the movie” – and I said “what movie?” “the one you were going to watch with your sisters” he said. “Ahh that one… yeah, well it was good!” but I am sure he knew I was lying.
Once, I had invited him to a cocktail party in some swanky hotel but at the last minute I decided I didn’t want him around so I met him at the lobby and told him that I had made a mistake and there were not enough tickets. I am sure he could see right through me but he smiled and it was not a problem. He would just see me the next day.
So we continued along the same routine for a couple of months. I am ashamed to say that I took this all for granted. He was there when I needed him but I was also willing to discard him when something “better” came up. I never took how he must have felt into account. I just thought, if he liked me so much – he would continue to hang on.
And then one day he just stopped calling.
Part 1
These canapes were inspired from Logan Campbell of Lucios Restaurant.
Recipe for Pasta
- 150 grams flour
- 4 egg yolks
- 2 teaspoons squid ink
- Place flour onto bench top and make a well in the center of the pasta.
- Place the egg yolks and squid ink into the well and incorporate slowly until the dough forms
- Knead the pasta for 5 minutes until smooth and rest covered for 1 hour
- Roll out the pasta as per directions on the pasta maker
- Cook the pasta for around 3 to4 minutes until al dente and immediately refresh in iced water
- Remove the pasta and dry on tea towels before using (see below)
Note: I used 4 egg yolks (as this is what I had left over from some macaron making) resulting in a richer pasta, feel free to substitute the recipe with 200 grams flour and 2 eggs if you don’t have the egg yolks on hand
Recipe for filling:
- 300 grams smoked ocean trout (or salmon)
- 250 grams cream cheese
- 4 teaspoons lime juice
- salt and pepper to taste
- Mix the cream cheese, lime juice, salt and pepper in a food processor until smooth
- Lay some plastic wrap/cling film on a benchtop
- Place a sheet of pasta over the plastic wrap and lay some cream cheese over this, leaving around 2 cm free (you will need this later when rolling)
- Next, layer some smoked ocean trout over the cream cheese
- Roll the pasta starting from the end that is covered with ocean trout and cream cheese and ending in the section where there is no cream cheese
- Lastly, roll the pasta in the plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours to set.
- Serve with ocean trout or salmon roe.
Trissalicious 
I love how everyone is only commenting on the love story (though I agree). I must say that I absolutely LOVE this idea and its so whimsical and awesome. I even love using smoked rainbow trout for sushi, cuz I have a strange love affair with rainbow trout. I may have to steal this for a menu I am creating for an Italian fusion sushi concept!
Trisssaaaa….
you cant leave us hanging we need to know what happens after he stopped callingggggggggg.. I loveeeeeeeeeeee the way you write your blogs! its like watching a movie I just have to know what happens next.
I have bookmarked this page so I can arrive here daily and not miss the part 2 of this fabulously written love story.
Love DH’s idea of wooing the parents first. Clever thinking.
Sorry to say I skipped all the cooking but will go back now to view.
I have been very happily married for almost 52 years, was unsure of DH at the beginning but he knew his mind and stayed the distance. Thank goodness.
Thanks for a fabulous start to the day.
[…] Hold on… if you have landed on this page without reading my part 1 – please take a step back and read here. […]
Very captvating!
I just had to keep on reading because it reminded me of my own story of my husband and I. I was so mean to him in the beginning.. even made up a fictitious boyfriend (ouch.. guilt pangs!)
Pls pls.. part 2!!!!
You really know how to hook us in! I took my now longtime boyfriend for granted when we first dated, too. I’m actually glad we had time apart and found each other again. Our relationship is much better and stronger this way. Lovely “sushi” hehe.
OOh intriguing! Can’t wait to read more hehe 🙂 The ‘sushi’ is genius!
Well, we know you got married. But how? Perhaps this is the better way to go about things; my ex and I adored each other and we have been divorced a long time now! Still friends though.
Love this recipe! I don’t know if I have the nerve to try it though.
NO PART TWO???? i lovee lovee lovee romantic stories! please finish! please finish! please please finish!
Stunning pasta!!!! where did you get squid ink from??
Oh and please post Part 2 soon! I thnk I’ll die of suspense! (even tho I do know the happy ending ;-)) )
What a lovely story…but…I suddenly found myself hanging in mid air…LOL. Part 2 should be on the way 🙂 Thanks for the lovely recipe. At first I thought it was choc dessert….wrong at first sight…just like ur relationship..LOL
O nooooo Trissa… you can’t just stop there and expect to get away with it… I don’t want to know about the recipe ! I want to know how the love story ends! (obviously I already know that since your married, but I just need to know how it goes on..lol…) You should write a book you know; you have a very captivating writing style; it makes me hang on every word and I want to keep on reading after you so abruptly decide to stop the story… Can’t wait for part 2!
You know I’d come back here for your photos and recipes, but your writing is such icing on the cake. Now, I want another slice!! Can’t wait for part II . . .
In the meantime, these ‘sushi’ rolls are gorgeous – love the squid ink pasta!
Love these canapes! How cool is squid ink!
Dying to read Part 2! I bet I have to wait until I get back from Bali, boo 😉
This is so clever and beautiful! I think you are the genius and your husband is as well because he married you!
Very beautiful, gorgeous and impressive sushi but you left me hanging with your story. So, when is Parts 2?
Trissa,
He was such a persistent and single-minded man. I think he was sick. Haha…Just a guess.
Can’t wait to read part II of your romantic story.
Your pics look gorgeous.
OMG this is like a chapter on Twilight. You cant keep us hanging like this Trissa. Nice shots but back to part 2. Hurry…. What happened. He stopped calling and then??????????
Ooh this is such a cute idea for a canape! Love your story – can’t wait for the next installment!
Beautiful ‘sushi! And I love the story. Can’t wait to read more 🙂
What a cliffhanger Trissa!! When is part 2? 🙂
Love this “surprise” sushi idea, so cool. And it sounds delicious too.
I can’t wait to read part II. I’m glad it had a happy ending =)
What? Part 1????? You left me hanging in there without the ending???!!! lolol!! I have seen 2 brilliant fake sushi recipes this week (here and Yas’s ramen sushi). The squid ink pasta is brilliant. Now I feel like making sushi ice cream 🙂
Ellie! Sushi Ice Cream?! Only you could actually pull that one off!
The colour of the squid ink pasta is amazing! I’m sure you’ve been told this before, but you are such a good story teller! I’m was on the edge of my seat while reading this post!
And? and? What happened next?
These look delicious! Such a fun idea and great flavours =D.
Fantastic photos Trissa! These were delicious and I love the colour contrast 😀
What an intriguing story, I want to heard part two now! On another note, the squid ink pasta looks pretty darn good. Never thought to use it as “sushi”!
Great story! please write the rest of it out. I was hooked from the very beginning. and beautiful “sushi” as wel!
Yum! These look like the canapes Lucio’s served at the SSS 20th Birthday party (Black Pasta Rotolo with Cured Trout and Lime Marscapone)
Hi Elizabeth – Logan from Lucio’s taught me how to make them – we were at a course at CIRA and he explained the process – it was really fun to make and quite tasty althought I didn’t use mascarpone – too expensive! lol!
Trissa, this is just too entertaining! Although I had no initial attraction to my husband either, we didn’t quite go through the same romantic process that you have described here. Hurry up and give us Part 2 – you’ve got me hooked! =p
then you missed him and realized you loved him!!! Oh, what a cute love story! I love stories like this…I get kilig..
BTW, this looks yummy. ..heee
I’m glad there’s a happy ending with this story, because I’ve seen it happen before, where she’s not interested and he eventually gives up and finds someone else.
That said, the ‘sushi’ looks incredible! Where do you get the squid ink from?
Hi Belle – the squid ink can be bought at any good fish monger – I got mine at the seafood market. They come in little sachets.
awesome awesome awesome idea trissa. LOL your husband is also a genius as well =p