As I was pouring my Grape Nut Flakes one morning this week, I noticed Molly Katzen's photo on the back of a Kashi box from which Flyboy had poured his cereal. The ad was encouraging entrance in a Molly Katzen cookbook giveaway, and I remembered at that moment that her book, "The Enchanted Broccoli Forest" was sitting on my shelf. Memories of her detailed bread recipes brought back that to-die-for aroma of fresh baked heaven and I had to go pull it right away. While flipping through, I found a section I had forgotten about, but interested me, especially since a comment from a reader already had me thinking about empty nesters who dine alone. This piece, taken from "The Enchanted Broccoli Forest" was inspiring to me, even though I have a dining partner. I hope it will touch something in you, even if you don't.
"A Pep-Talk for Solitary Eaters"
Hello, single eaters.
Do you regularly miss out on the pleasures of Dining, because it doesn't seem worth the trouble to make things Nice if they're only for you (and the 6 o'clock news announcer, who is your steady dinner companion)? Perhaps you can be convinced that you, yes you, are indeed deserving of good food and a little extra attention. Try these suggestions, and dinner with your Self can become something you eagerly anticipate, and for which you'll even dress up and light candles...a Pleasurable Experience.
Set aside a block of time once a week for a cooking session. Prepare one soup and one casserole-type entree. Bake or cook the entree to completion, then divide it into single portions, pack them into airtight containers, and freeze them. On days when you'll want a portion for dinner, take it out of the freezer in the morning, and heat it in the oven just before you want dinner. Keep a steady supply of fresh fruits and vegetables around, and prepare yourself a spectacular salad while your entree heats. On alternate nights, have the soup, with raw vegetables and one of the many dips from this chapter. Also, don't forget about omelettes and quick egg suppers, most of which can be made easily and in single portions. Try baking bread once a week, too. You deserve such a luxury, even if no one else is available to share it with you. Besides, it's nice to get it all to yourself.
Think of yourself as your own guest (a favored one, who laughs with sincerity at all your jokes). Set an attractive place for yourself and sit down to eat! I once knew an old woman who had lived alone for many years, and had really mastered the fine art of eating alone. She would never eat while standing halfway into her refrigerator, poking her fork into random jars. She always set a place for herself, sat down, and dined elegantly, if simply. She wouldn't even munch on pickles without first arranging them on an attractive little serving plate. This woman insisted that to treat oneself in this fashion was to live a longer, happier life. I believed her and still do.
Here's one of the dip recipes she mentioned above, taken from "The Enchanted Broccoli Forest":
Almond-Orange Dip
Saute 1 C blanched chopped almonds in 2 T butter, stirring over low heat for about 5 minutes, or until the almonds are lightly, nicely toasted. Remove from heat.
Transfer the sauteed onions to the jar of a blender. Add 1/3 C fresh-squeezed orange juice, and puree. Transfer to a bowl.
Add 1 C firm yogurt, a pinch of ground ginger, 1/4 t tamari sauce, 2 T freshly-minced parsley, 2 T freshly-minced fresh chives, a rounded 1/4 t orange rind, S & P to taste, cayenne to taste, and mix very well until uniform. Cover well,and refrigerate until cold.
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