wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

Comments

• [1] Michelle L. Norton from New York City August 14, 2007 - 04:01PM

  When I eat alone, one of my favorite things to eat is a big old Tupperware container of corn ... I just dump the frozen kernels in the plastic bowl, heat them up in the microwave, toss in a liberal dose of sea salt and then watch TV, eating my corn right with a spoon right out of the bowl. Yum. At least it's fairly healthy, right?

  
  
• [2] Michael Wong from Montclair, NJ but in California for two weeks August 14, 2007 - 04:15PM

  A few years ago, when I separated from my marriage of 14 years, I consoled myself with food books, reading Jacques Pepin, Julia Child, Madhur Jaffrey, and Anthony Bourdain. I eventually got a copy of the Les Halles cookbok and for months cooked from the book just for myself. It was a totally luxurious time for me because you can't cook many of those dishes just for one. Months later, my bloodwork certainly showed that I had been eating richly.

  I also ate many meals of oxtails because I won't eat that in front of anyone except my closet family.

  cheers, m

  
  
• [3] Pat from Brooklyn, NY August 14, 2007 - 04:26PM

  I normally cook for a family of four--elaborate, balanced meals with fresh ingredients. But on the rare occasion that I am alone, I make a big bowl of white rice with sweet butter, salt and pepper. It makes me feel happy and is my favorite thing to eat all by myself.

  
  
• [4] Soraya from soho, NY August 14, 2007 - 04:36PM

  I enjoy eating tomatoes cut up with a drizzle of oil oil and sea salt and add either some anchovies or sardines (usually a few cans in the cupboard) if fresh herbs or onions are around, then add that too. If im real lazy and alone, I can also inhale 1/2 a bag of those mini carrots with Annie's goddess dressing. Creamy ranch soycrisps usually enters the equation as an after snack.

  
  
• [5] I hear and listen to leonard August 14, 2007 - 04:51PM

  As a frequent solitary diner, I have conflicting feelings about my meals. Should I eat a quick power bar and get on with my exercise routine, or go to one of several of my favorite sushi restaurants and talk with the chefs, who relieve my boredom but know I'm single? Sometimes I feel cheated that I don't go often enough, as I once did when I was half of a couple, to various 'regular' restaurants where we were seated at a nice, comfortable table away from the kitchen and get to order an appetizer, entree and dessert! Little did I realize that was the 'good life' before I got divorced.

  
  
• [6] elise from monmouth county, nj August 14, 2007 - 04:56PM

  in private, i eat the stinkiest food i can get away with... rich, dense tuna in olive oil and garlicky white beans... beer battered onion rings... smelly, ripe, soft cheeses... pate on crusty bread... i love savory foods that bite and kick all the way down, but i don't get to indulge nearly as often as i'd like. in public, i try my best to eat like a "lady" (unless i'm having a steak, in which case decorum flies out the window FAST). otherwise i've yet to find a mint (or toothpaste, floss, or mouthwash) that can handle my regular tastes.

  
  
• [7] Greg Welch from Union, NJ August 14, 2007 - 07:38PM

  As a single man, I cook and eat alone more often than not--I cook about 4-5 nights a week.

  I just ate one of my favorite summer dinners--a nice big ensalate caprese made with my own fresh tomatoes and basil from the garden and good fresh mozzarella. A quick ratatouille over rice is a great way to enjoy whatever is fresh at the weekly farmers' market.

  The other day while on vacation, I enjoyed a wonderful meal at the Culinary Institute of America by myself--I was seated with a view of the kitchen and enjoyed the show. I'll certainly go there again!

  In the winter, nothing beats a fresh loaf of bread and a pot of homemade split pea soup or 15-bean soup or turkey corn chowder on a snowy day.

  
  
• [8] A CT fan from Stamford, CT August 14, 2007 - 10:44PM

  I also just got back from vacation that included Princess Charlotte Halibut in Brtish Columbia that just melted in your mouth. Also enjoyed king salmon with a delicious beet tartare salad sitting at the bar at the Steelhead Diner in Seattle overlooking the Pike Place Market. Cute guy next to me even bought me dinner!

  Tonight I had one of my favorite summer meals--big salad with tomatoes from the farm stand, goat cheese, salmon and butter/sugar corn, crisp pinot grigio. I live alone and this easy meal is one of my mainstays. For 10+ yrs I worked for a company that had a great chef. It it took me a while to get used to going to the market more than once every two weeks! Now I'm getting into the groove. I enjoy "assembling" summer meals-- not sure if I'll adjust to winter cooking. Criteria for a new job includes a good cafeteria! Would like to meet writer above -- he sounds like a good cook.

  
  
• [9] angela from princeton, nj August 15, 2007 - 12:04PM

  eating alone usually involves and elaborate melange of raw vegetables, or as its more commonly known, a salad.

  I also love to eat copious amounts of ice cream when no one is looking.

  
  
• [10] Ronald Soldyn from 14825 W. Caribbean Lane,Surprise,AZ,85379 August 15, 2007 - 08:28PM

  When dining alone you must remember who is in charge. You are not the wait people. If they try to give you a hard time it is probably because they want to see more people at the table you are sitting at. Watch out for what I call menu screw you. They will usually try to jack up the bill in the hope of getting a bigger tip. It seems that these days whether the service to you is good or bad we give the 15 or 20 percent we always do. If you get bad service reduce the tip accordingly. Finally remember this very important point; if the waitress is cute pat her on the behind to let her know you appreciate her service.

  
  
• [11] Karen from LI August 16, 2007 - 01:20AM

  Don't often have the chance to eat alone but the most memorable one I had was on a top floor balcony in the University Club in Chicago overlooking Millinium Park. And I had it all to myself to boot. The club was throwing a "Farewell to Foie Gras" meal because Chicago was banning it in all restaurants. I couldn't make the entire meal but I talked the chef into letting me have at least the first course because the kitchen was closing by the time I arrived. They prepared a beautiful plate of foie gras pate and fruit and matched a lovely wine with it. They even threw in a few of the after dinner delicacies they served as dessert. I took the tray to the balcony and savored every delicate morsel and took in the night view, which was as close to perfect as I need. Fresh, sauteed foie gras would be perfect. That will not happen in Chicago again, I guess for awhile.

  
  
• [12] Erin from Brooklyn August 17, 2007 - 10:12AM

  i like to eat a variety of cheese and crackers with salted green apples and a glass of wine

  ***alone***

  
  
• [13] francyne from NYC August 17, 2007 - 11:21AM

  When I've had a stressful morning at work....meetings, etc. I especially enjoy going to a quiet restaurant with a good book. Quite often the hostess or waitperson will ask "just one?" in a tone that sounds as if he/she is bummed for me having to eat alone. However, it's a lovely hour or so.

  What I eat when eating alone, at home or out, is pretty much what I eat when I eat with my boyfriend or pals. At home, frequently left-overs, as I usually cook in larger than one meal quantities.

  
  
• [14] chestine from NY August 17, 2007 - 12:25PM

  i have come to insist on levels of quality which I have to cook for myself because my bone scan came up menacing and i don't want to take drugs for them - so i make old fashioned bone broths and food directly from farmers. I love making food for the multitudes, having grown up eating very well with seldom fewer than 12 people. So i like learning new things by myself. I make my own ice cream, aioli etc. because i need to be sure i get the most nutritious versions possible. Popcorn is a favorite, with that fabulous salt from guerande.

  
  
• [15] chestine from NY August 17, 2007 - 12:27PM

  my mother always said, "I'm not worried about you starving!!!"

  
  
• [16] Jeffrey S. from East Elmhurst August 17, 2007 - 12:29PM

  I cook dinners for my girlfriend and I but there are times when I have to have dinner alone. This allows me the chance of having my favorite meal: sliced tomato (when it's in season) over slices of toasted bread with peanut butter. When tomatos aren't in season I use sliced red pepper. At the end I eat a piece of fruit. This is enough for me because I'm a diabetic.

  
  
• [17] chestine from NY August 17, 2007 - 12:30PM

  my family had a gi-normous kitchen which can make for inefficient cooking. i learned to cook as an au pair in france in a galley kitchen in an alpine chalet presided over but someone who taught me efficient use of space, among other things - it makes cooking easier.

  
  
• [18] Geoff from brooklyn August 17, 2007 - 12:34PM

  I rarely eat proper meals when I'm alone... instead I tend to 'graze' - going to the cupboards and refridgerator and polishing off the leftovers, frozen food, crackers, etc.

  I would never serve family or friends a popsicle, a handful of crackers, some random veggies... but I eat like this most nights.

  
  
• [19] Robert Lawrence from Jackson Heights August 17, 2007 - 12:34PM

  I have spent most of my 66+ years eating alone, some as a child, and most as an adult. As a graduate student, like one of the person on the air, I HAD to cook for myself. My food was normally what I had learned watchaing my grandmother who had been my primarily caregiver as a child [Zanesville, OH in the 40s and 50s]. Ages 35-65 I spent the first two years caring for my foster-mother and then inherited her old house and simply picked up where I left off. I had a small garden, so the egg plant I cook often I picked from my garden. Only after retiring at age 65 [facing a medical leave, otherwise I'd still be teaching] I retired here in NYC with a friend from graduate school. Now we have dinner together every night and eat together on weekends. I still eat alone 2 meals a day. My foster mother always marveled at how I just "cooked", normally without bothering to look up directions. I never wanted to be a fancy cook, but enjoy lotsa vegetables and simple cooking, minimum spices. No sauces. No salt or pepper on the diningroom table. I have in years past put together a dinner for 8 or 10 or even a backyard picnic for a large group.

  I got out of the cooking all the time mood when I got an administrative job at the college; that's when eating out and doing take-out became my habit which lasted 15 years.

  Robert R. Lawrence

  Jackson Heights, NY

  
  
• [20] Connie from Brooklyn August 17, 2007 - 12:35PM

  I love to cook but live alone, so I eat & cook alone most of time. I treat myself well even I cook and eat alone most of time, sometime it doesn’t need to be cook expense food, just little nice touch of your food with make difference. Also I often change my receipts and style, Asian in Monday, Italian in Tuesday.... and don’t cook too much at once to eat for the rest of week. It is most depressing things...

  
  
• [21] adriana August 17, 2007 - 12:36PM

  I used to cook with my boyfriend but he had to move to another city. Now, I eat alone almost every day and, since I find that this could be depressive, I try to treat myself and cook nice things. My problem is that I do spend too much time cooking and, because of my work, I actually shouldn't do that... It's hard to find the right balance.

  
  
• [22] Margaret from Brooklyn August 17, 2007 - 12:39PM

  I love to celebrate myself on those rare occasions when I eat alone. I come from a large family, moved on to having many roomates and currently am a part of a family of four. I delight in these rare occasions.

  I remember once, when unexpectedly alone, I prepared a wonderful "clam bake" for myself, complete with lobster, small potatoes, clams, corn, salad, cornbread... I was about to sit down and eat when four friends stopped by. I was embarrased to let them see my fabulous meal, and it went cold before my friends left.

  
  
• [23] Chicago Listener August 17, 2007 - 11:41PM

  I love to cook and I love to talk about cooking. Also, a truism is that women love a man who can cook...I can't imagine it's any more complex than "Here is someone who can sustain me," hunter-gatherer-preparer type stuff. To the main point, I cook and eat alone most nights and cherish the experience. More food for me!

  When I travel and eat alone in restaurants, I revel in the mystery I can project and in seeing the glum, wordless couples.

  BTW, dinner tonight was Puerto Rican style chicken with brown rice. I will sleep like a baby.