"Alone in The Kitchen....
...with an Eggplant" written by Jenni Ferrari-Adler is a must read! A collection of essays by celebrated writers, foodies, & others on the subjects of cooking for one & dining alone I have only read the first 50 pages but it very entertaining! Confession time, what are your home-alone foods---when no one is looking?
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22 Comments:
JEP, that read actually *does* sound very entertaining...I know it sounds naughty but I'd prolly read it on the potty. ;))
My "home alone" binges would probably be midnight raids of my pickle and olive jars...or I'll make some homemade 'microwave popcorn' with butter spray and kosher salt or if I'm REALLY ravenous...a baked spud (preferably in my regular oven but if I'm desperate...nuked)! Gosh, I'm not all that risqué' eh?
Funny...I'm more a 'savory' craver rather than a 'sweet' craver...I honestly could never understand the concept of 'desert'... I mean...when I'm FULL I'm FULL. And I prefer to get full on steak, lobster, clams...oysters...whateves and desert has NOTHING to do with it. Well, except for when it's my birthday! lol
cheffy at 6:03PM on 08/04/07
Ack! 'dessert'...oh lord...haha
cheffy at 6:09PM on 08/04/07
I agree with the dessert comment. Its a completely unneccessary part of the meal. I only say this because I have no sweet tooth. Yes, pity me ^^.
Back to the topic: I concoct weird dishes that I would be embarrassed to serve anyone but myself.
For example, the other day I made a combination of cooked wholewheat penne, pumpkin soup and a meadly of cooked frozen vegetables (peas, corn, carrot, broccoli and beans), mixed it together, sprinkled it with tasty (cheddar) cheese. It looked like vomit but was pretty tasty ^^
choc_puddin at 4:38AM on 08/05/07
It's funny but every time I find myself alone and meal planning, I virtually always head for the offal section of the meat counter. My closet desires are fulfilled with southern fried chicken gizzards or batter fried calves liver. Serve them up with fried onion rings and a heaping glob of tartar sauce. I guess my doctors and my body are pleased that I am rarely left at home alone. Save the sweets for the once-a-year birthday party and then make it a pecan pie with french vanilla ice cream.
czken at 9:13AM on 08/05/07
I, too, make some pretty odd things for myself that I wouldn't dare tell anyone I know about! One of my favorites is a half a block of ramen noodles, boiled in water to which I've added soy sauce, sriracha paste, rice vinegar. I add an egg and top it off with cilantro. It's tasty!
And, like others here, I don't ever crave dessert - it's always something salty/crunchy that I want. It annoys me that my boyfriend has to have something sweet at the end of every meal and I fear for my children's eating habits...although I have successfully gotten him to eat fruit instead of a baked treat, so maybe I don't have too much to worry about!
charm city cupcake at 12:13PM on 08/05/07
I try to cook on the lighter side for my wife and I, but when I'm alone, one spud boiled, riced, and folded with some heavy cream and butter is beyond heavenly!
Dominic
the zen kitchen
dvchurch at 12:22AM on 08/06/07
I am much too old, but when no one is looking -- fluffernutters do it. At least I use "natural" chunky pb.
CapeCodBob at 2:50AM on 08/06/07
i have bought the book, but haven't gotten to crack it open yet. when no one is looking, it is spaghetti with lots of garlic and oil for me.
carriebwc at 9:48AM on 08/06/07
I don't understand you people! It's all about the sweets. I sometimes whip up a batch of chocolate cupcakes for dinner if no one is around to yell at me about it.
Kiana at 3:25PM on 08/06/07
I have two stand-bys when I am cooking alone, the first is Chicken Madras, which brings tears to your eyes both literally and figuratively, the second is a bowl of beans and weiners topped with a fried egg that has to be cooked in bacon fat. My choice depends on how much time I have available. Like a number of the other posts, I really don't even consider desserts.
Kabanos at 4:22PM on 08/06/07
I am a sucker for baked rolls or garlic bread with some slightly warm marinara sauce and if theres still room left after eating the whole batch i'll make some ramen of some sort, always got that on hand!
kitchenlove at 5:25PM on 08/06/07
This summer my "home alone" foods have been hiyyayako; gazpacho; fresh corn quickly nuked then topped with sweet butter, chipotle powder and salt; a sandwich made from sourdough bread topped with chunk albacore, a snipping of parsley, a squeeze of lemon, black pepper, a swath of mayo, a slice of provolone, some slices of tomato with a finish of some minced garlic then bake it (wrapped in foil) in the oven for about 15 minutes till melty on the inside and crisp on the edges.
The "home alone" go-to dessert involves buying an excess of fresh raspberries that are mine all mine with nobody to have to share them with, topping them gently with a hint of sugar then pouring good thick cream over the top. :)
Karen Resta at 8:26PM on 08/06/07
I'm actually partial to a toasted-just-so hunk of crusty baguette spread with kalamata olive tapanade and then topped with sweet Japanese pickled ginger (gari). Sounds revolting, but the flavor-contrast is absolutely delish... like toast with jam and cheese =)
onedaylingers at 9:22PM on 08/06/07
If I've worked late and just need food, I eat what I need to get rid of. So, "those eggs are only good through the weekend" and "most of that cheese has mold on it" turns into scrambled eggs with cheddar!
If I'm indulging myself, it's always childhood classics - mac & cheese with hot dogs or PB&J (though the fluffernutter is a great idea!). And if I didn't have to buy a whole damn box, fishsticks would be on that list!
LizNYC at 10:42PM on 08/06/07
This has been quite the read because usually I don't indulge when I'm eating alone. My husband does not like meatless meals, therefore eating alone means eating something without meat and lots of veggies. My favorite is simple; whole wheat pasta, zucchini, mushrooms, pine nuts, and garlic. Mmmmm....
Lauren at 10:02AM on 08/07/07
i'm with you, kiana - i'll always pick sweet over savory. if my husband's not around, there's a strong possibility i'll have pretzels dipped in peanut butter and sprinkled with chocolate chips for dinner. actually, it's not just a strong possibility, it's a given!
altosaxchica at 1:12PM on 08/07/07
I like to make a big, buttery grilled cheese sandwich stuffed with every type of cheese I've got on hand. If I don't get strings when I take a bite, it ain't right.
lindseyn at 3:52PM on 08/07/07
Being alone with a pint of Haagan- Dazs Rocky Road or Sedutto's coconut ice cream is my idea of heaven!!!!
Mich23 at 4:28PM on 08/07/07
If I'm really hungry and the fridge is near-empty and I'm about to fall asleep (I work late), it's this:
Sliced sourdough bread, toasted
Thin layer of real salted butter
Thicker layer of cream cheese
Covered in salsa, eat like toast
Either wash your hands thoroughly before bed, or do NOT rub your eyes while sleeping.
tmj529 at 2:51AM on 08/08/07
tmj529 is the only one brave enough to admit to something that might sound off-putting (and potentially dangerous) to other readers!
Pinky Tuscadero at 10:49AM on 08/08/07
I rather like tmj's offering, Pinky. But I'll try hard to think of something off-putting and dangerous to add if I can because I want to be brave too.
How about you? What are your home alone foods?
Karen Resta at 12:21PM on 08/08/07
It has to be stuff my husband doesn't like. So -- brownies, chili, potato soup, crepes with carmelized apples, and breakfast burritos, to name a few. If I'm alone, no matter what I make to eat, I've gotta have chocolate!
misseditor at 6:00PM on 08/08/07