"Manland" and Pasta with Chorizo, Zucchini and Tomatoes

by Kirsten on September 17, 2011 · 23 comments

in Main Dishes, Pasta, Pork & Lamb

Let’s talk about shopping with your husband, which “shopping partner” you have and about a genius solution for non-complying shopper husbands. A famous furniture store may be able to help.

So, come on, play along with me. Choose from the following three shopper types:

Type 1. Loves to shops
Type 2. Comes along but doesn’t enjoy it
Type 3. Stays home, and lets you do all the shopping

First, let me give you a little shopping inside on my husband:

Mr. Rockies is a mixture of all 3. He loves to go shopping by himself for outdoor equipment, sporting goods, technical gadgets and books. He even surprised me this summer and showed up in Germany with new clothing that he purchased by himself. You will see him tagging along with me to look into furniture, cars or a new house. Sometimes I join him on his trip to the home improvement store, but that is usually a rare occasion. He seems rather irritated by me messing up his shopping experience there. Frankly, anything that involves a bigger decision and longer commitment to be made by both of us we will also be seen together. Forget grocery or cloth shopping, anything that needs to be bought for the kids, animals or household. He won’t be seen.

Just to be clear, I am not complaining, I love it the way it all works out in my family, because I thoroughly enjoy shopping, no matter what it is for. I wish I could also do the car shopping all by myself, but Mr. Rockies knows me to well. (Hey, later today I would like to go and test drive the new Fiat 500, yes, not the big new BMW. No, not today. How about next weekend?)

So, I read about the perfect solution for any wife or girlfriend that has a very typical Nr. 2 shopping partner, but still needs for him to come.  Drop them of at “Manland”. Yes, you read it correctly, no, not kidland. “Manland” a new concept that is tested right now in one store of the big furniture emporium  in Australia. “Manland’ offers video games, pin ball machines, table soccer, TV sports entertainment and hot dogs. Doesn’t that sound fantastic? You are left to your ultimate shopping experience, while your husband is perfectly taken care off at ‘Manland”. Think about it. Woudn’t that be something? I personally think it is marvelous idea.

I would love to hear your opinion on “Manland” and what shopping partner category your husband falls into! What would you think about “Ladyland” at the home improvement store”? Let me know!

Oh, before I forget. If your husband would choose not to eat the hot dog at “Manland”, surprise (reward) him with a scrumptious dinner like this one. Pasta with chorizo, zucchini and tomatoes. Mr. Rockies LOVED it. He even went back for seconds. That means a lot, since he eats hardly any carbs and dislikes zucchini. Do I need to say more? Go shopping, think about “Manland”, leave me a comment and get in the kitchen to prepare some pasta with chorizo, zucchini and tomatoes for your better half.

Serves 6 to 8.

Ingredients:

*  1 pound (450 g) pasta ,cooked ( Kirsten used rigatoni)

*  1 pound (450 g) organic spicy chorizo
*  1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
*  2 cup zucchinis, quartered and cut in small pieces
*  olive oil
*  salt and pepper
*  1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan

*  extra Parmesan for topping

Directions:

Brown chorizo in a larger pan over medium-high heat. Transfer to a plate and set aside. Place zucchini into the pan and fry on medium heat until the edges turn slightly brown. Add the cooked pasta, chorizo, Parmesan and tomatoes. Stir well and cook until the dish is hot. May you need to add a little bit more oil. Season with salt and pepper. You may also add some red pepper flakes for extra spice. Place pasta dish on individual plates and sprinkle with more Parmesan.

Enjoy!

Click here to go to the German news website to get more info on “Manland”.

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{ 23 comments }

Italian Furniture September 22, 2011 at 2:54 pm

Awesome blog and great sharing with all new update… Thanks..

xexespatisserie September 22, 2011 at 4:51 am

Well, I'm Type 1. I love to shop with my wife for anything. I once spent about an hour with her in a Saizen (think Japanese 99 cent store) and we ended up purchasing one item. A hanky with a turtle design on it. I love spending time with her, even if it's shopping.

By the way. Your pasta recipe has 3 of the things I love dearly. Zucchini, Cherry Tomatoes and Chorizo.

Andrea @ ForkFingersChopsticks.com September 21, 2011 at 2:43 am

I could eat this for breakfast with an egg on top. I'm with Toni, I don't mind food shopping especially when it's at the farmer's market, etc. but the other shopping trips – especially for running shoes, I'd rather pass.

Cooking Creation September 20, 2011 at 11:46 pm

Just love the colors of this! My husband would do all of the grocery shopping on his own if I allowed it.

Elisabeth September 20, 2011 at 3:34 pm

Kirsten-I'm back again to comment more about your pasta dish, since we're big pasta eaters in my family! Just a little more observation. I would most certainly drizzle the freshest extra virgin olive oil, and sprinkle dry pepper flakes…more grated parmigiana, a nice piece of crusty bread…and boy oh, boy, I missed that nice glass of red robust wine you have on the right (how did I miss that?)…and as for shopping for food…not too fond of shopping, and have to have a list, and a tight budget…but that's just me!

Even when I was married to my ex, he never came grocery shopping with me; he was always a "stay home" "you do the shopping" kind of guy! Now, I love to go grocery shopping with my daughter, or d-in-law, to Whole Foods, or Costco, and get my shopping over with, and just get extra items that I need at the family produce market, or nearby supermarket!

From Beyond My Kitchen Window September 20, 2011 at 11:43 am

My husband hates shopping and I am more than thrilled to go myself. Maybe they should have mini Home Depots in the Manland. The pasta dish is so colorful and looks like I would be going in for seconds too.

Nuts about food September 20, 2011 at 10:49 am

My husband loves fooshopping but hates most other kinds. He will sometimes tag along but I usually don't make him do it. I feel rushed and guilty and totally understand. I think manland is a great idea, and ladyland sounds great. Coffee, manicures, magazines…here I come.

blackbookkitchendiaries September 19, 2011 at 5:37 pm

this pasta sounds so lovely!! thank you for sharing this… and have a great day!

kitchen flavours September 19, 2011 at 6:00 am

Your pasta looks delicious!
I prefer to go shopping on my own! My husband does not like shopping, he prefer to stay at home and watch over the kids, which suits me fine!
You might want to take a look at this hilarious husband-day-care-center !
http://ritasbasket.blogspot.com/2011/09/funny-1-husband-day-care-center.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FLfpxI+%28Rita%E2%80%99s+Basket%29

Have a nice day!

Elisabeth September 19, 2011 at 3:17 am

Loved reading your post, and love the pasta! So rich and flavorful. Vivid color and robust rich flavor. Yumm!!! Thanks for sharing, Kirsten:DDD

Russell at Chasing Delicious September 19, 2011 at 2:46 am

Gorgeous shots! This recipe looks wonderful as well.

marla September 19, 2011 at 2:02 am

This pasta looks amazing! Perfect for the fall 🙂
I am hosting an online 30 day challenge called *Project Lunch Box* Please join us. Hop in any time during the challenge. We are sharing recipes, meal planning ideas, cool gadgets, etc. Anything is great! You can link up your blog URL or share posts you have all ready published like this one. Just add the badge or our link somewhere on your blog to show your support. http://su.pr/221xT1

Amanda Thompson September 18, 2011 at 4:50 pm

My husband is a type 2 and I think he would really enjoy Manland! I don't care much for chorizo but your beautiful photos are making me think I should give it another chance ~ Yum!!

Karen Harris September 18, 2011 at 1:26 pm

After our last trip to Ikea, I have vowed to never, ever, ever take my husband shopping again. He's worse than a 3 year old. I don't know though, I might be able to bribe him to be good with a dish of this gorgeous pasta.

Boulder Locavore September 18, 2011 at 12:29 pm

Admittedly the delicious photos of your dish had me sprinting through the shopping description to get to the next photo. Probably because unlike you you I do NOT love shopping unless I have a purpose. I think part of the reason I love shopping at farms for food is to bypass the annoying expanse of most regular supermarkets. I'm a truly functional shopper (perhaps due to little time). Your dish on the other hand I could linger and oogle over all day long. LOVE chorizo and combined with the other ingredients and pasta seems divine. Tempted to drive down in my PJ's for some breakfast leftovers.

EliFla September 18, 2011 at 12:00 pm

First : I love your pasta!
Second: I wish to have a "manland" here, and even where I go to shop for house and kitchen.
third: test the new Fiat 500, but I love the old one….. and I think (as Italian) it's too expensive for the kind of car it is….I prefer Fiat Panda..a very good citycar!!!
Have a nice Sunday…. with husband, hugs, Flavia

Chele September 18, 2011 at 9:15 am

Unfortunately my Hubby is Type 1 … drives me bonkers, especially when we do the food shop! So I'm not too sure that a manland would work for him and I think the lure of the xbox v's shopping might cause him to self implode, and that wouldn't be good! I would happily reward him with this pasta dish though, yum.

Dom at Belleau Kitchen September 18, 2011 at 7:18 am

I love the idea of an adult crèche for those of us who get bored with the shopping of our partners! I won't go to IKEA anymore. It always ends in tears! I love your pasta dish. It's beautiful!

Anonymous September 18, 2011 at 3:23 am

This pasta dish looks wunderbar!
My hubby is a 2. He is taking me to the Coach store tomorrow. He really doesn't like to, but he is so easy going. I will then go along with him to shop antiques. He loves that.

Brenda S 'Okie in Colorado'

Susan September 18, 2011 at 2:31 am

I'd do veggie sausage, but everything else looks delicious. A great Fall dinner! XOXO

A Feast for the Eyes September 18, 2011 at 2:28 am

Beautiful photos. We just had pasta for dinner. MY kind of fast food!

Kirsten@My German Kitchen...in the Rockies September 17, 2011 at 11:44 pm

@Caterina: That furniture store already has a childcare facility. Have fun at IKEA!

Caterina B September 17, 2011 at 10:08 pm

Mmmmmmm…..I think I will make this tomorrow! I actually have all the ingredients on hand. (that is if I have a few ripe tomatoes on the vine) Thanks for the idea.
About the "manland." I wonder if one can leave children there, too, with the "man?" Just wondering. I don't shop much since I live way up in the mountains. But….whenever I get to Denver I am ready to make my first ever visit to Ikea!I think my husband would actually accompany me there at least for the first time. He likes Cabelas, though.We both shop online. It's so much easier than going inside any store.

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