Singles and cooking...
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| Wed, 05-30-2007 - 6:09pm |
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_cl/episode/0,1976,FOOD_9952_16834,00.html
OK, there aren't THAT many recipes included in the link, but I thought it was a nice idea if they said there was an episode about singles cooking for themselves...
Does anyone else here like to cook fresh meals for themselves? For me, it is one more thing about having a real home, (in my little apartment) but a HOME, complete with favorite decor, a nice set of matching dishes, good food, many things that make up a real home. I guess it still sometimes jazzes me when I feel like I am not in a holding pattern waiting for the "one" i.e. "why cook for myself, I will do that when I get involved." "why decorate for the holidays, it is just me, etc."
Anyone else's solo culinary experiences will be welcome...

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I definitely have those moments when I say "why bother, it's just me?" and happily eat a bowl of cereal for dinner. Yet, I love to cook and good nutrition is a passion of mine, so I do cook for myself fairly often. I tend to go a lot more simple when it's just me, and I'll go gourmet if I have an SO to cook for. My ex and I used to cook together, or trade off cooking for each other, and I really miss that.
The bonus to me cooking a real meal is that I almost always have leftovers to take to work for lunch, and it helps me not spend as much eating lunch out.
***
Some of my staple "solo meals":
* Cavatappi pasta mixed with whole wheat rotini, tossed with spinach, olive oil, walnuts, Italian spices and mozzarella cheese (had this for dinner last night and lunch today)
* Mixed greens or spinach salads with some sort of fruit and nut combo: blueberry/mango, craisin/almond, dried apricot/brie are recent favorite combos
* Chicken "rogan josh" - basically diced chicken simmered in an Indian tomato cardamom sauce (yes, the sauce comes from a jar), served with whole wheat couscous or brown rice and something green
* Balsamic/molasses glazed broiled salmon with broccoli and brown rice
* Paninis on my trusty George Forman grill (the little, one-person model) made with focaccia or french bread, cheese and whatever else I have on hand (red peppers, chicken, spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, etc.)
* Oven "fried" chicken (really it's baked) coated in shredded wheat cereal and an egg mixture. Served with lentils, sweet potatoes or whatever is in season veggie-wise
AJ, enjoying life with C.
Probably not a good poster to comment on this subject but, gosh, I can't STAND cooking. And I'm not good at it so I just don't even bother trying. :)
I usually just eat out of cans. Saves me having to wash dishes.
I can bake, but not cook.
I am so into cooking and have devised a whole system of cooking for myself. Of course, I love to cook for others and like to whenever possible.
Not only am I particular about the taste and freshness of food, I have to make it reduced fat. It's the only way I can keep my weight down. I just can't eat frozen dinners, they taste funny to me.
For many years now I have specialized in making meals that I can freeze. I'll make 8 servings of something then individually freeze it in those Ziploc containers and defrost and cook them in the microwave. With it I will have a field greens/citrus/blue cheese salad with a low-fat balsamic dressing I make right in the bottom of the bowl. I have experimented with tons of dishes, sometimes making them just for me. I even make things on the girll just for me. Sometimes I feel self-concious out in my driveway with the grill and it's just me, but hey, a girl needs a grilled dinner now and then.
I don't always just reheat...sometimes I'll make fish or some other "one-off" meal. I work at home, so I eat a certain amount of lunches at home too. There have been times I have made fresh cornbread (only stoneground corn meal from a little mill in Georgia will do) right in the middle of the day (of course, I freeze what's leftover).
Anyway, I think it's really important to have a home and really live in it, not like you're just waiting for something else. I really like to cook, so for me, it's relaxing and creative. But I totally understand why women don't like to cook.
I love to cook as well but when it comes to a meal that's going to cost over $20, I'll usually invite people over. My specialty is Indian food(saw your cardamom pod reference) although, I've not attempted nann. I should go ahead and spend the money, cook for myself but start freezing as you do . . . that thought never even occurred to me. Another thing is cooking lighter; I'm a southerner.
--Sorry FG, it was TG who referenced Indian fare ; )
Edited 5/30/2007 10:53 pm ET by cfk_3
I like to cook, decorate for the holidays all of it.
I don't like to bake though. I am soooo not a baker. Baking is a science not much room for improvising which is why I think I like to cook, you can experiment more.
One of my favorite meals to make is lemon pepper linguine.
Lemon/Pepper Linguine. Boiled obviously. If you can't find lemon-pepper linguine you can just buy regular linguine and just spice the heck out of it with lemon/pepper seasoning.
Saute shrimp, water chestnuts, pea pods in olive oil and lemon juice and tons of lemon pepper seasoning (yes that's the exact amount) LOL
Just pour over the linguine it's SCRUMPTIOUS!!!
Smile,
Deirdre
What do you usually cook?
I love getting ideas from other people, because I do tend to make the same things over and over. For me, the key is fresh veggies and fruit whenever possible (or frozen, in the off season).
AJ, enjoying life with C.
Dee- baking is a science to a point - you have to have the right balance of chemicals like baking soda to get the effect you want - but there's LOTS of room for improvisation.
I remember as a child, sitting with my grandmother and mom...so many of the family cake and cookie recipes were "a handful of this" and "butter about the size of an egg". We sat down with grandma - she used her hands to measure, I'd put what she measured into measuring cups/spoons, and mom transcribed.
None of those are exact - we still have to learn what feels right and add a little of this or that to make a bowlful of batter right.
I LOVE to play with recipes - I make the best baklava because I didn't like the recipe I had as written.
>>I remember as a child, sitting with my grandmother and mom...so many of the family cake and cookie recipes were "a handful of this" and "butter about the size of an egg". We sat down with grandma - she used her hands to measure, I'd put what she measured into measuring cups/spoons, and mom transcribed. <<
That reminds me of my mom's most-used baking instruction: "add/stir/bake... 'til it looks right." :)
AJ, enjoying life with C.
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