While I like a full, bustling kitchen with many hands helping and maybe even a kid or two thrown in the mix, I also treasure my alone time in the kitchen. I love being able to stay quiet and focused on the task at hand, unwinding from the busy day. How about you?
Sometimes when I'm preparing an evening meal for myself, when I'm alone in the kitchen with just a countertop full of ingredients and my thoughts, a peaceful feeling settles over me. I love the singular task of prepping vegetables, the thwack of the knife on the cutting board, the scent of garlic or rosemary or lemon tickling my nose. When I'm alone in the kitchen, there's nothing to distract me from these sybaritic moments and I can experience them with focus and appreciation.
Occasionally when I'm alone in the kitchen, I'm making a meal for myself and others, but during the week it's often something just for me. I follow the singular thread that begins with arriving home and looking in the refrigerator and cupboard for ingredients through to prep, cooking, plating up and sitting down to enjoy the fruits of my labors. I appreciate the spacious and time this solo endeavor offers me, a chance to reassemble myself and reflect on the day.
What is it like for you when you're cooking alone? Do you appreciate the lack of distraction or does it feel a little too quiet? Do you listen to music or the radio or do you just abandon yourself to the sounds of a meal being made?
Related: Repetitive Kitchen Tasks: How Do you Pass the Time?
(Image: Dana Velden)
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I definitely love those moments to myself, it is definitely a stress reliever for me.
There is certainly something therapeutic about chopping onions. I find cooking to be such a creative outlet and there are times when I absolutely have to do it by myself. On the other hand, I think cooking and creating a meal with someone can be really romantic.
The Kitchn Staff really, really *really* needs to create the 'Cooking for one' tag and add it to all applicable posts. Every single time I look up for those reciped and articles, I can't find sh*te despite the fact it's somewhat part of your header. Do something, guys.
I like to turn on the JAMS and dance and chop and cook and season. I also setup an extravagant place setting for myself, and then sit down and gobble up all the food. I mean...why not? This happens as OFTEN AS POSSIBLE--life is too short to look like the sad girl in the photo above.
Like you Dana I enjoy both very much. There is something about nothing but the sound of my breathing, and the preparations going on that becomes enticing to me. Suddenly the sounds of cooking begin to be as important as the smells and tastes. Yes I always set a place for myself when I cook alone.
Also I don't think the lady in the photo looks sad.. but focused and attuned. Perceptions are funny things aren't they?
My hubby recently started working an overnight shift and I've come to know the pleasure of cooking alone. Sometimes I blast some salsa music and dance while I cook and sometimes I just enjoy the sounds of cooking. I have enjoyed cooking alone so much that I started a blog.
http://diningoutcookingin.wordpress.com
I find that I cook best when I'm alone in the kitchen. I can focus on a recipe, make mistakes, and dash around and not crash into anyone, cut myself, or having to set up computers, tv time, etc. I envy people who can cook for an audience but I prefer being solo for most of the difficult part. However, I like cooking from one to 16 (the number in my extended family) if I have ample time.
However I find eating alone a drag. No one to chat to about the day, events, opinions about the cooking, etc.
After a crazy commute home from work in the evening (two trains and a bus), cooking alone is my meditation. The simple act of putting on an apron and pouring a glass of wine is transformative.
Oh, how I love those quiet moments alone in the kitchen! I've been haunting this site for a while now, adding to my "after I retire" (in 93 days) collection of recipes to try. I've cooked for one a lot and I've cooked for 2 (as I do now, but alone in the kitchen by choice), and I've cooked for crowds. There really isn't much of anything that makes me happier. Gardening is nice, love it, but I can be more free in the kitchen, and experiment. And as a bonus there's something delicious at the end. Can't beat it.
@Anna1287 — nice blog! Congratulations!
Thank you Marion!
your blog is very inspiring. Great recipes and most importantly, wonderful pictures. I’m surely going to be a regular visitor to your blog.
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