I started this blog because I love to cook for myself, and I know a lot of people don’t bother or think they “can’t cook”. Rubbish!
Entertaining is a joy, but there’s absolutely nothing better than preparing a quick, delicious and beautiful meal for yourself and taking the time to sit down and appreciate it.
I mean it. Give it a shot.
Most of my recipes can be doubled, or even adapted to serve bigger parties. I’d recommend taking the time to try them out for yourself if you’ve got a kitchen and no one else to cook for. You’ll be amazed at what you can make when the pressure is off.
My first tip for making it work well for you (and to impress the hell out of anyone you may have over for dinner) is to buy some nice simple white dishes.
Make sure they have enough of a lip on them (think the place you put your thumb) so that you won’t be sticking your thumb into the food when you carry it to your table or tv tray.
You should have at least two each of dinner plates, side plates (for desserts!), and those funny shallow bowl/plates that are terrible for cereal but work wonderfully for anything saucy.
Second tip: use napkins. Buy a big package of those nice, thick solid color ones from ikea or find some that aren’t too dainty at your local dollar store (nothing you can picture in your great grandma’s house) and USE them.
If you want to be environmentally friendly or are a bit of a masochist, pick up a nice set of cloth ones – though I’d recommend patterned or at least a dark color if you go this route.
Third tip: buy things fresh when you can, in appropriately small quantities. There’s no need to waste food, and it’s actually fun to make a ritual out of stepping out to (or stopping by) the market to pick up a small bag of groceries for the next meal or two.
Fresh produce doesn’t cost more if you buy less.
If you can’t use fresh produce – use frozen, dried or (as a last resort) canned.
Fourth tip: invest in a decent set of cooking equipment when you’re ready. I may post on this later, because it really will take your cooking to that next level. And you will get there!
That’s enough advice for now, except to say Enjoy Food!
J.
