Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Date Night For One At Home

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Here's the thing about living alone, 3600 miles away from your husband, that I didn't expect: it totally screws with meals.  Since graduating from college and leaving the dorms, I've almost always had housemates, and I could usually count on people asking to share or helping with leftovers even when I was just cooking for myself.

Moving into this apartment has forced me to drastically change the way I approach meals.  Whereas before I could make a casserole that would feed four and it would be gone 24 hours after it had come out of the oven, that mac and cheese I made the other week lasted me for six days.  (Today's lunch was the last of my Indian braised spinach and chickpea dinner from November 7th!)   I do love cooking properly - from scratch, I mean - but there's no point in sizing down most recipes to serve one; the time and energy necessary for a lot of my favorite dishes aren't worth spending on an individual portion.  That means I've had to become very strict about making sure I eat leftovers, getting more creative with the other meals that surround the leftovers so that I don't get bored and picking recipes that freeze well.

Of course, every dinner isn't big and freezable.  Sometimes I just want something low impact and easy that isn't leftovers, like chips and guacamole.  Occasionally, though, I want to have a special meal, the kind that you'd make to celebrate someone or something that would make the night a culinary occasion.  When I first moved into my apartment, I resisted making these meals.  After all, I was alone!  Who goes through the process for a red wine reduction just for themselves?  Why spend money on a single lamb chop?  That's silly.

But, I realized after a few months, a date night for one at home can be just what a girl needs to feel less lonely.  So, every few weeks, I'll look up an exciting recipe or two, set the table properly, pour myself a glass of wine, and put on some music.  I'll cook myself a special occasion meal and I'll enjoy my own company.  After all, isn't that supposed to be the fun of living alone?



By the way, I have no idea if these are the "correct" wines for these meals, but they're what I had on hand and I liked them!


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21 comments:

  1. I actually used to make meals for myself too like this when I lived alone in Hawaii... sometimes it really makes a difference!

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  2. I totally get this- this was me when my husband used to sail. I'd spend 4 months or so cooking pretty much all the time for the two of us, and then he'd be gone for 4 months and I would have to figure out what to eat! In between the Lean Cuisine and frozen pizzas I would sometimes by myself a nice filet mignon and make myself a fancy meal because why not? Sometimes you just feel like cooking and eating something nice!

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  3. it totally does! it's a mental thing just as much as a gastronomic thing.

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  4. IT IS SO GOOD. also easy! it's my only Indian dish so I'm really proud of it :)

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  5. I love date night with myself! Date night with my boyfriend is also fabulous, but sometimes I love the feeling of excitement + fulfillment that comes from doing it all just for me. I've been doing it less often recently but I'll have to treat myself sometime soon!

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  6. I remember those days. I ate more pasta and omelettes than I care to admit but once a month, I would have a date night with myself and cook something spectacular. It's important to treat ourselves :)

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  7. You have the absolute right idea Betsy. I remember when I first moved to London before the boy joined me I just couldn't get into a groove cooking and would end up either eating the same thing for ten days to use up leftovers, or stick with pasta or cereal. My body was not happy! Eventually I figured it out, but it would have been nice to have your menu inspiration back then : )

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  8. Once in awhile I will take the time to make myself a lunch of something that I really like that I know Fredrik does not care for and it is nice to just treat yourself!

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  9. That's a great idea, cooking gets boring if it's always the same :/

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  10. Fully support the wines- I would also suggest (since you didn't ask) something a little fuller like a Merlot with the lamb, having Pinot Noir with the duck, and a stainless steel Chardonnay with the scallops :)

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  11. exactly! sometimes it's nice to make the effort for yourself :)

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  12. I really need to have breakfast for dinner more often - thanks for the reminder :P

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  13. well, everything in moderation of course, but there's a time and a place for all of these things - especially the extravagant ones!

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  14. oh YES very good point - I can make all the things that Jon doesn't like!

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  15. THANK YOU! I knew I should be having red with the duck but the bottle was empty :(

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  16. I love the idea of serving yourself a special occasion meal! I did that a few times when I was in Virginia and Scott was in Florida this summer. It's just spiritually nourishing to treat yourself every once in a while, as if you're saying, "Hey, it's just me, but I'm worth a good meal, too!"


    Oh, and roast duck breasts in port currant sauce? YUM! Recipe? And I'm making the Indian spinach and chickpea one, too, but I found that recipe :)

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  17. it's this minus the salad :) http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Duck-Salad-with-Cheese-Toasts-and-Port-Currant-Sauce-103874

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  18. Riesling could have been perfect though, and I have faith yours was!

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  19. Such beautiful meals these are, Betsy. I'm in full agreement that cooking a special dinner for yourself every now and then is a real treat. You might like this book.

    http://www.amazon.com/The-Pleasures-Cooking-Judith-Jones/dp/0307270726



    My parents got it for me when I moved into a studio apartment after college, and it's full of beautiful recipes, wisdom, photos. You'd love it :)

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  20. When I lived alone, I really hated cooking for one. As in, I did it as little as possible and relied on a few easy meals. I love this idea of cooking yourself a special meal every so often - it brings the fun back into cooking!

    Plus I think I'd try everything on your 'menu' and it's not often that happens ;)

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