Of Beef Wellingtons and Love Languages

It has been a fun couple of days. I’ve been learning more about what I like and respond to, and have had some interesting conversations. I love interesting conversations.I, and most of New Zealand, watched the finale of MasterChef NZ Season Two.I am now obsessed with learning to cook a Beef Wellington. I’m debating which recipe to use. The one supplied by MasterChef which has a chicken mousse component and a crepe to hold it all together and prevent the exterior pastry from becoming soggy, or the Gordon Ramsay recipe, which looks a little less complicated.MasterChef Beef Wellington:Gordon Ramsay Beef Wellington:I am leaning towards the MasterChef recipe, despite how average TVNZ made it look.I’m also going to learn to make a good puff pastry. This will lead to the joy of making pies throughout Winter. And I suspect a certain rounding out of myself...What do I like about cooking? Why am I inspired? Why am I so interested in learning?I think I can liken it to relationships (bear with me, it's not such a stretch!). The way I respond to others. What I do for others. What I need from others to make me feel loved and validated.One book (and associated website) I read in my past life is called the Five Love Languages, by Gary Chapman. You can find it here.The idea is that there are Five Love Languages that we can identify with and respond to. They are Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gift, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch.You can take a quick test online to get an idea of what you need from a lover in order to feel loved and appreciated. Your partner should also take the test so you can gain an understanding of what they need from you. It absolutely goes both ways.Personally, my drivers are Words of Affirmation, Quality Time and Physical Touch - pretty much in equal measure.So, connecting this with cooking. I enjoy cooking for people (quality time), I enjoy the tactile nature of cooking: the tasting, the hands in there mixing, the aromas, the eating (physical touch). And I enjoy the positive feedback I get from people who eat or see photos I post online (words of affirmation).I told you it wasn't a stretch!What are your drivers? What do you appreciate or need from your loved ones?- S