Serious Eats
Cook the Book: Serves One
I love going out to lunch alone. I bring a good book or the latest issue of one of my favorite magazines, and try to snag a seat by the window. At the restaurant I frequent most, I order a large iced tea, a bowl of soup, and a beet salad with goat cheese and extra croutons, dressing on the side. I eat leisurely, savoring every last bite, and leave a generous tip.
I am a firm believer that every meal—whether it's a Pop-Tart and orange juice at 6:00 a.m. or a four-course, three hour dinner—should be a time to take a break and focus on your body, providing it with the nutrition it needs, plus a little indulgence (chocolate chip cookies, anyone?). It doesn't matter if you are dining alone, or if you are part of a party of ten.
Too often, people view cooking for one as either an annoyance, or, worse, a waste of time. But whatever your circumstances—whether you are a recent college graduate, or a stay-at-home dad—at one point or another, you will find yourself preparing a single serving meal. This week's Cook the Book selection, Serves One by Toni Lydecker, aims to prove that solo dining can be simple, satisfying, and fun.
Win 'Serves One'
The recipes range from simple salads such as Warm Spinach, Orzo, and Pistachio that are perfect for lunch, to show-stopping entrees like Roast Baby Hen with Root Vegetables that will make you feel like you are dining at a multi-starred restaurant. We’ll be excerpting a recipe from Serves One each day this week. In addition, you can enter to win a copy of the book. Just tell us in the comments section below, what is your favorite dish to prepare when you alone?
Five (5) people will be chosen at random from among eligible comments below. Comments will close Monday, July 14 at noon ET. The standard Serious Eats contest rules apply.