This time of year my office is a much quieter place than it is in the summer and the first thing on my mind when I get home is to change into some comfortable track pants and relax with a glass of wine. Curling into a corner of my couch should be enough to soothe the winter blahs I feel at the end of a long day, but it isn’t.
What relaxes me most, what softens the reality of a dark winter day, is cooking. And although I typically cook only for myself, I enjoy creating a food experience rather than just making something to eat. I like to think of food as an encounter more than just a necessity. Food should nourish but food should be enticing. I don’t just put my dinner on a plate. I want my meal to have an attraction beyond taste and, even if I am only cooking for one, I will put that effort into the presentation of my meals.
There is something truly invigorating about inhaling a combination of smells that you know blend into an amazing taste medley. And the effort of cooking these meals for one is not as taxing as people would think. A simple preparation of “real” food takes a few more minutes than opening a package of processed food and putting it in the oven, but the benefit far outweighs the effort.
Perhaps the artsy side of me weighs heavily on my plating but, regardless of the reason, I continue to put a concerted effort into each dinner I create. I take great pride in knowing that I nourished, not only my body but, my eyes and my mind. Food feeds the soul as much as it feeds the engine and as I dig into my meal I always feel happy knowing I didn’t reach for that can of Alphaghetti!
polysyllabic profundities 
I think it’s wonderful you take time to prepare yourself nice meals. I enjoy cooking but I don’t enjoy ‘having’ to cook, if that makes sense. When it’s an obligation to cook for my family each night, it takes some of the joy out of it. But it makes me feel good to know they’re eating something with that extra ingredient of love. 🙂
I have recently discovered freezer crockpot meals. With about 4 hours prep time on the weekend, you can have about 20 pre-made meals in your freezer. Thaw them the night before, empty the bag into the crockpot and 6 to 8 hours later, voila…dinner!
Sounds wonderful. I love my crockpot, but I haven’t done that yet. Thanks for the idea!
http://thekrazycouponlady.com/tips/recipes/10-delicious-slow-cooker-freezer-meals-that-are-perfect-for-weeknights/
And there are many more….enjoy!
Thank you so much! I’ve added the page to my recipes folder.
That is a beautiful presentation. Almost makes me feel guilty for enjoying the ‘easy’ nights of bean burritos or chicken nuggets so much 🙂
Not everyone has the love of cooking or has the time. I just happen to have both. 🙂
It looks fantastic! G-uno
Thank you so much! 🙂
Very inspiring.
I admire people who can be bothered to cook, and I also don’t like to eat things that have been made in factories with god knows what in them. I cook because my boyfriend seems to expect it, but I’d really rather eat a slice of vegemite toast and some fruit – quite honestly, I don’t much enjoy the process.
You should cook together. Have a glass of wine (or whatever you like) and make it a fun process to be in the kitchen together.
Reblogged this on Kate McClelland.