tacit_graffiti's Profile

Looks like a handmade Yunnan Pot (steamer). You can make almost anything in it, should be good!
http://www.notechmagazine.com/2012/04/ceramic-steamer-with-central-chimney.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBmwbcPP5Mw

Some Recipes
http://www.littleepottery.com/Yunnan.html
http://redcook.net/2010/03/09/not-your-grandmothers-chicken-soup/
http://vegetariansalmon.wordpress.com/2011/01/09/minimalism-and-a-new-kitchen-tool-yunnan-steamer/

I just got back from a wedding where they gave out Brazilian treats that are easy to make, keep well, look elegant and taste amazing. You can package them just like truffles.

Brigadeiros (just be sure to roll in chocolate sprinkles for the authentic look)
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/brigadeiro/

Beijinhos (uses most of the same ingredients, but with coconut)
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/beijinho-de-coco-coconut-little-kiss/

If you have the time and inclination, you can always try making Bem Casados (literally means "Well Married""), I had these at my wedding but we bought them so I can't attest to how difficult or time consuming they are. You wrap them in crepe paper with little bows, they are adorable! Here's a link to a recipe I found, triple the recipe and you'd have all you need.
http://www.kitchencorners.com/2008/12/bem-casado.html

I've had whole boiled quail eggs in simple salads in Brazil, its much better than chopped up bits of boiled egg that you find at salad bars, I think its the texture. You can also mix them (whole, hard boiled) with a shrimp/spinach stir fry, Indonesian style.
My husband taught me the trick to peeling them: after they're cooked, poke a hole in the base and blow into it. Forcing the air into the shell separates it from the egg and the peel comes off easily.

I did this once to use up a bunch of excess cupboard stuff: cornflakes, marshmallows, cranberries and coconut. Add a little salt, a little vanilla and it's a great snack.

Grill it. In Brazil it's called Queijo Coalho. Serve it with some oregano sprinkled on top or dipped in molasses.
Or go the Scandinavian route and add lingonberries or cloudberry jam (I think Ikea sells both, along with a really nice elderflower marmalade).

Cotton Soft Japanese Cheesecake. It's light. fluffy, and not too sweet.
http://www.thelittleteochew.com/2009/09/cotton-soft-japanese-cheesecake-for.html
Or
http://www.thelittleteochew.com/2011/03/steamed-egg-cake-ji-dan-gao.html

I second Victoriam, the first couple times it's hectic and mistake-laden, but after a couple dinner parties you figure out what works, what your friends like, what's easy etc and it's actually a really fun time.

Salmon Donburi, it's amazing if you like sushi.
Drain the salmon and heat it in a skillet with equal parts sugar, soy sauce and rice wine vinegar (I usually use 2 T of each).
In a bowl, add a scoop of jasmine rice, shred some nori over it, add a scoop of the salmon.
Top with mashed avocado, a sprinkle of sesame seeds and a few pieces of pickled ginger.

Here's the recipe I started with, they recommend cooking it dry, but I like when the sauce mixes with the rice. It's a very easy, filling and delicious meal.
http://www.humblebeanblog.com/2009/05/tuna-avocado-donburi/

I love these meditations, as they're consistently insightful and gropingly honest. They always give me something to think about. That said, can I offer two copy editing suggestions?
* choose the latter
* in the throes

There has to be a more meaningful way to measure value in a relationship than trying to itemize what each person does, even if its just to make a point.
The beauty of marriage is the flexibility it affords to each person that they wouldn't have on their own. When my husband hated his job, we had enough money from my job that he could quit and look for something better... but only because he took care of me when I went back to school for my Masters. We both do whatever we can to have a good life together, and the specifics of that work change from one year to the next.
Anyway, best of luck on your marriage! I think it's great you're so open and honest about how you feel about complicated issues.There is no right answer.
I recommend checking out John Gottman's book "Why Marriages Succeed or Fail", it was an eye-opener for me when I first got married. Gottman did actual scientific research to figure out why some people stayed married forever and why others didn't (spoiler: it wasn't communication & hard work).