Saturday, August 4, 2012

When the cat's away...

The husband has ventured to the midwest for a few days for work, leaving me and Sophie to our own devices. It's reminded me of the couple of years I lived alone, pre-husband. Back then I had Frances, who was around the age Sophie is now.  A girl and her dog is a tough combination to beat.

Soph has gotten to sleep on the bed while I've been been free to watch whatever idiotic  television I feel like. I've also been able to eat weird solo food, as my friend Liz and I call it. Cooking for one is not necessarily fun or exciting, but it frees you up to do whatever you like, without thought of how balanced or pretty it is. You can also eat things your partner doesn't love. Like eggplant.

This week, right before the husband left, we got our produce box. As if the stars were aligned, it contained one lovely, flawless eggplant, swaddled in a paper towel to keep its beautiful purple exterior from getting nicked. I pulled it out of the box and cradled it happily. "I'm going to eat this whole eggplant myself," I said, beaming, to no one.

I had big dreams for my eggplant baby but in the end, what I did was neither fancy nor involved.  I sauteed the diced eggplant in a pan with some olive oil. After it softened, I threw in some chopped, seeded heirloom tomatoes and minced garlic, salt, and pepper. I let that cook down for awhile. Then I added a handful of pitted kalamata olives and a sprinkle of parsley. Finished it with a dash of red wine vinegar.

I tossed this with cooked farro, scooped some into a bowl, and topped it with a dollop of ricotta. There was also a final grating of parmesan, which came after the photo was taken.

I have to tell you, this was a very good dish. I would eat this dish in a restaurant!

Who knew weird solo food could also be so delicious?

14 comments:

  1. I can relate to all of this, except the eggplant. About eggplants, I'd side with your huz. But I enjoy the occasional day or two of weird solo food, too, and I'm glad you got yours.

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  2. When I'm alone I saute whatever veggies I have in the fridge, plop a fried egg on top and smother it all with hot sauce...and then I set myself up on the couch and revel in my total control of the remote! Your eggplant looks amazing!

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  3. Zoom: Yeah, people either love or hate it!

    Sue: That sounds pretty good!

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  4. The farro got my attention (nice combination) but, the ricotta that was down right creative!

    I enjoy the solo days. I hope you are enjoying it too.

    Velva

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  5. It's interesting how we all feel liberated to eat whatever we want when we find ourselves suddenly single. Mr. K used to travel often and for long stretches and I would make all the food that grosses him out like natto, cheesey mac hamburger helper and stuffing...

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  6. Velva: I did enjoy them! But happy to have the pack reunited.

    foodhoe: No one should be deprived of their cheesey mac hamburger helper...

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  7. Welcome to my world! I'm always cooking for myself, and I have some simple standards and, of course, sometimes make up things on the fly. I'm not an eggplant fan, so can't relate, but I do like how you mixed it in with farro. Healthy and comforting! Enjoy your time alone! :)

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  8. nice dinner for one! i do wonder how my eating habits will change if i ever lasso meself a husband. :)

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  9. Ben: You could certainly do something similar, hold the eggplant. Tomatoes, olives and capers maybe!

    grace: I'm sure you will but in the meantime enjoy cooking/eating for one!

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  10. Yum. I side with the huz on eggplant dislike, but that dish looks awesome. I love the addition of the farro. My guilty pleasure when E is gone includes bad TV and the occasional box of Annie's mac and cheese. Given that I never could have it as a kid and we would never deign to eat it together, it feels even more indulgent now.

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  11. I love my solo life!
    And one of my favorite recipes is farro, Parmesan and zucchini. I'd love it with eggplant!

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  12. ash: I owe you a call! Am sending you a quick email now about the wedding dress.

    Barbara: I like the sound of your farro dish!

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