I've felt so displaced without my blogging!
I figured it was time for a post.
As many of you know, I love to read. I mean I absolutely love it. It's one of my favorite hobbies, and I'm always reading something. Sometimes (more times than I care to admit) I'm reading a chick lit book, but I try to alternate between that at classics/ Pulitzer prize winners. Most recently I tried a new genre of book: foodie.
When I say foodie, I don't mean a cookbook. I mean a book on the subject of food.
I like to tell people I'm a pretend foodie, because while I love a fine dinner, I'm just as happy having tacos from Jack in the Box. Also, I never demand that everything be fresh. I was raised in a not so wealthy household, so we definitely ate our share of canned vegetables. This particular book is called "Alone in the Kitchen with an Eggplant". It's a collection of short essays by people who have some connection to the food industry. These people talk about eating for one, and preparing meals for one, versus preparing food for a crowd. The book really spoke to me.
Any and all of my friends can attest that I LOVE cooking for them. I'm always happy to spend time in the kitchen preparing food for the people in my life, but I rarely take the time to do it for myself. Sure, every once in awhile, I become decadent, but 99% of the time you can find me eating a random assortment of food for dinner. And on more than one occasion I've forgotten to eat altogether. This means many dinners consisting of cereal, or a microwave potato, a spoonful of peanut butter, or some other singular fulling item. An example: last night I had half an avocado, some carrots and hummus, and 2 slices of cheddar cheese. I didn't eat them all at the same time, I ate them in that order, one after the other, without ever using a plate, getting up and going to the kitchen for each new item. I eat by myself because I have to. I would much rather prepare huge meals for friends. Maybe that's why I like cooking so much. I enjoy the look on other people's faces, knowing that the food I just made them is blowing their minds. For me, food is the way I show love and appreciation. Anyway you look at it, I think I've found a new genre of book.
How about you. What/How do you eat when you're alone?
Love,
Tina Marie
um you forgot to say you're an amazing cook... cuz ya are. majorly.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. I eat by myself because I have to...which makes cooking boring...which is why I often end up doing takeout, a bad habit that I need to cut back on.
ReplyDeleteUmmm...I am obsessed with food books (also, cookbooks!)
ReplyDeleteHere are some favs for when you are ready for the next one:
My Life in France
Not for Bread Alone
Southern Belly
Salt or anything by Mark Kurlansky
The Language of Baklava
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle
I also like Michael Pollan, but I know some people think he is boring....
You should join foodie book club. I'm a fan of diluting the RD ratio as much as possible. We're reading Insatiable -- do it.
ReplyDeleteAnd you're welcome to raid my shelves anytime. I have a bit of a collection.
The other night I made shrimp, brocalli, peanut, bell pepper stirfry with quinoa mixed with edamame. Enough for 2 meals. Mmm.
I wouldn't necessarily say that "random" assortment of food for dinner is just because you're sans roommate. We do that a lot too just beacuse we're so busy. At least once a week our dinner consists of cheese and crackers or chips and salsa. Or frozen pizzas. Frozen pizzas are a huge staple for me, especially on a snow day like today where I don't have much else in the house to make for lunch. Frozen foods in general (think skillet meals and things like that) are a huge go to right now. I think it's more of an energy thing. If I'm by myself I can't see spending a lot of time and energy preparing dinner. Or if I've come home after a long day than I don't want to cook anything either. Now once spring/summer hit and I'm home more and its nicer out in general I'll cook more or grill. But winter? forget it! Unless I get creative and decide to make something in the crock pot.
ReplyDeleteAnd you can cook for us all you want in July! I'm excited to try one of your Mexican dishes you write about!