I'm lucky to be able to work out of my house a couple of days a week.
And while it's nice to not have to make the commute into the office, to be able to work in my yoga pants and to occasionally walk or ride my bike to get Audrey from school, the best part of this set-up is, by far, lunch.
I love knowing that exactly two days a week, I get to cook whatever. I. want. I get to create a little meal that is 100% completely and wholly for me. On those two days, I don't have to worry that Bryan doesn't like olives or blue cheese or tuna or that the girlies don't like, well...where do I start with what they don't like. There are no other palettes to consider, no other diners to cajole or convince into eating.
It's bliss.
Even during my most persistent cooking funks, these little meals feel inspired. I throw things in with abandon and take ample risks, as I figure if the dish is a flop, I'm the only one who will know (+ if all else fails I can eat a carton of Greek yogurt and some fruit...)
My go-to solo-meal of late is either a simple pasta with whatever is in the fridge or pantry (and usually involving some olives or few capers, just because I can) or an omelet with lots of feta and sauteed veggies. I've eaten some variation of this for the past month, and it shows no sign of waning.
So I'd love to hear, how does this work in your house? Do you ever cook for just yourself? What do you make?
And while it's nice to not have to make the commute into the office, to be able to work in my yoga pants and to occasionally walk or ride my bike to get Audrey from school, the best part of this set-up is, by far, lunch.
I love knowing that exactly two days a week, I get to cook whatever. I. want. I get to create a little meal that is 100% completely and wholly for me. On those two days, I don't have to worry that Bryan doesn't like olives or blue cheese or tuna or that the girlies don't like, well...where do I start with what they don't like. There are no other palettes to consider, no other diners to cajole or convince into eating.
It's bliss.
Even during my most persistent cooking funks, these little meals feel inspired. I throw things in with abandon and take ample risks, as I figure if the dish is a flop, I'm the only one who will know (+ if all else fails I can eat a carton of Greek yogurt and some fruit...)
My go-to solo-meal of late is either a simple pasta with whatever is in the fridge or pantry (and usually involving some olives or few capers, just because I can) or an omelet with lots of feta and sauteed veggies. I've eaten some variation of this for the past month, and it shows no sign of waning.
So I'd love to hear, how does this work in your house? Do you ever cook for just yourself? What do you make?
you making cooking for one sounds like so much fun! i eat a lot of pasta, or i eat cheese and bread with seasonal veggies (lately, mini tomatoes). i like to make salads and am obsessed with arugula. Also, I love eating an avocado plain with olive oil and freshly ground salt and pepper. I am totally addicted!
ReplyDeleteI love this post. I love cooking for one, I love making mini versions of comfort food just for myself. I agree, it's bliss!
ReplyDeleteCooking for one? Sometimes, but mostly, I just love to pull out a chunk of Triple Cream Cowgirl Creamery Cheese along with the seasonal fruit of the moment (now being figs) and just gorge. Heaven!
ReplyDeleteOR if chanterelles are in season, then give me a few to sautee with a shallot, heavy cream and butter ~ indulgence by the bowl fulls!
Obviously, it is a good thing i don't eat alone a lot since I adore cream and cheese so much!
Once upon a time when I had energy I enjoyed putting together something just for me. Every now and then I still do- typically a big Greek salad, which my husband isn't partial too. Although he's starting to come around a bit. :)
ReplyDeleteOh! I have the same set-up as you, only sometimes I can even come home for lunch on the other work days, too.
ReplyDeleteMy go-to lunch is a kaiser roll cut in half, spread with chipotle hummus, a slice of whatever cheese we have, sliced bell peppers, red onions, zucchini and whatever other vegetables we have as leftovers - sometimes I add salami or chicken if we have it. I heat up the grill pan, place the sandwich on, then use my ghetto panini press (its a brick covered in foil), flipping it when its halfway through. Delicious and filling enough to get me through to dinner.
i love to take a container of grape tomatoes and two cloves of whole garlic, drench them in olive oil, salt and pepper, and then roast them for 25-30 minutes. pour the heavenly roasted goodness over a giant chunk of salted and peppered fresh mozzarella. cut some fresh basil over the top and yum!
ReplyDeleteMy go-to lunch at home (I also get to do this two days a week) is often a bowl of potstickers and steamed broccoli with a sauce of ginger-soy-sesame-mirin. I too love a veggie omelet. But sometimes my nicest days are the ones in which my husband comes home for lunch and then we go out for Ethiopian or Thai -- places where we really can't take the kids because there's just nothing un-spicy enough for them.
ReplyDeleteI like to make chickpea salad--throw chickpeas in with olive oil, lemon, and balsamic, any chopped veggies you want, salt and pepper, easy and good.
ReplyDeleteI make massive mid-day salads with mixed greens or spinach, carrots, mushrooms, bell peppers, grape tomatoes, cannellini beans or chickpeas, maybe some cottage cheese or chopped mozzarella, salt, pepper, olive oil, and CAPERS! I usually put a few crackers on the side too. It's so good and no matter what I eat for dinner I always know I had a big, veggie-filled salad at lunch.
ReplyDeleteWell I have to say that if it's just me, which is rare since my 3 year old still has lunch at home mostly, I won't cook! I don't eat out just myself at all so if I'm alone, I go to a place with wi-fi and eat and write! Love your blog and the name btw!
ReplyDelete