What's left. Not that tasty-looking, that's for sure.
First off, hello Serious Eats readers!
As someone who is recently single (though I believe I’m nearly always single), I realized I tend to cook a lot more than when I’m in a relationship–and also tend to eat larger portions. When I make sauces and spreads I’ll usually make the same amount whether I’m cooking for one or two. And half the time I’ll end up eating the entire portion by myself.
Case in point: This evening I made a hand-chopped pesto on the cutting board with purple basil. First I chopped the basil, then chopped in the garlic, then walnuts, then salt and pepper, and then folded in olive oil until I reached the desired consistency. (It was delicious in case you’re wondering.) I poached a chicken breast in chicken stock and balsamic vinegar, then mixed it with caramelized onions. Then stirred it all together, chopped up a green heirloom tomato.. done. Beautiful dinner.
Conclusions:
1. I would’ve never made this dish if I was cooking for someone else. Would you experiment on someone else, knowing he might be skeptical of what you produce? Perhaps this is what’s led to all of my breakups in the past 3 years (there’s been 3 failed relationships in that time).
2. If I was making this for someone else, I would’ve used the same amount of onions and pesto, but double the chicken breast. Therefore leading to less caramelized goodness, less garlic, less excitement.
Which leads me to believe that cooking for one is way better than cooking for two. You’re never really setting out to impress yourself, but when you do, you realize pleasing yourself when you cook is of utmost importance. (At least when you are single, childless, and in your mid-twenties.)
Hi there!
I’m also 24 (well in 2 months) and also recently single, having ended a three-year relationship a month ago. What I find is the biggest difference in how I cook since the breakup, is, well, not much. I still cook the same amount of stuff (seriously, food comes in huge portions and keeps much better -in my crappy student housing fridge- once it’s been cooked!) and I usually have a ginormous tupperware dish in my fridge with enough leftovers in it to last the week! I never manage to go a whole week without cooking, of course, so I do end up eating a little more than before and have even been known to throw out the last of Monday’s dinner come Thursday. I hate throwing out food but it just doesn’t keep long enough for me to eat it all!
So.. I’m looking forward to reading your blog and picking up loads of cool tips and ideas for cooking and eating like a single person!
-Susanne
I think it is often easier to have more motivation to cook when someone else is involved; I think the key thing is having someone who is willing to let you experiment, and be willing to deal with the occasional mishap. If they don’t have the personality for that, then you should be dumping them faster than a hot potato! You’re a creative soul — find someone who celebrates that fact and is willing to deal with what comes with it.