Kevin vs. Celery root and fennel

Fennel and celery root.  What the hell?  It was in our CSA box and we are determined to use everything in the box, no matter how weird.  It turned out freakin fabulous peeps!

Roasted Fennel with Parmesan and Thyme:
Cut the fennel (2 bulbs) into slices and throw it into boiling water for about 10 minutes
Drain it and toss it with about 2 tablespoons butter, salt, pepper and about a tablespoon of fresh chopped thyme.
Spread it out on a baking sheet, and sprinkle it with about 1/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese.
Bake at 350 for 10 minutes, then check.  Pull it out when it is golden brown.

Potato and Celery Root Gratin:
Peel and cut celery root into slices.
Slice about 4 medium sized red potatoes.
Throw these into boiling water till tender.
Start about 1 1/2 cups milk in a pan on the stove.  When it starts to simmer, whisk in about 2 cups cheese (we used cheddar and parmesan, but you could use whatever.  Except maybe pepper jack.:)
Make a roux by melting one half cup butter and whisking in same amount of flour.
Whisk this into the now boiling milk/cheese.
Pile your potato and celery root mixture into an 8x8 pan, and pour a generous amount of the cheese sauce on top.  (It will melt down into the dish).
Put foil over the top, cook at 350 for 35-45 minutes, then add breadcrumbs and drizzle a little olive oil on top.
Sprinkle with freshly cracked pepper and cook another 15-20 minutes, till golden brown.

I didnt really plan on putting recipes in this blog, but yeah, we are loving this CSA box thing, and these were so good and unusual I really just couldnt help myself.  So, thinking about how this applies to my "situation"...ie: Double income, no kids...I was going to write about how someone feeding kiddos could not really make these dishes because they are not the kind of stuff kids like....blah blah blah.  Then it hit me.  I really could feed my kids any fucking way I want.  Picky kids who only eat things like chicken nuggets and Lunchables are not born that way.  They are created.  And just as easily could I create a child who eats things like fennel and celery root gratin.  I COULD take my kids to sushi and thai and teach them to enjoy it instead of forcing myself to spend my entire life eating at places like Applebees and McDonalds!