Reasonably So

I think I’ve earned it.

My dad and stepmom are heading for Africa today. I’ve been living with them for a few weeks and now will continue to enjoy the 6-burner professional stove, propane grill, and the non-stickiest pots and pans in their absence (I will also be feeding the cat, watering the plants, and bringing in the mail/papers). Last night I really wanted to cook something for them so they wouldn’t have to worry about dinner but would sleep with full bellies, readied for their long flights.

And, OH, how full our bellies were!

Ladies and gents, I present to you: Grilled Pesto Pizza with Spinach, Tomato, Orange Bell Pepper, and Prosciutto.

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SCENE: Last night, in the kitchen.

STEPMOM (watching me sautée mushrooms, tomatoes and onions with sweet basil chicken sausages): You are your father’s daughter! I never could grasp the concept of cooking for one.

SELF (sautéing): When I know I can cook a delicious meal and have the time for it, why would I do anything else?

Yes, I am confident in my cooking skills. When people ask me if I am a good cook, I affirm wholeheartedly. How do I know? Because when I eat the things I have made, they taste wonderful. I’ll be the first to admit that I am most certainly not an expert chef, but I have learned enough about the subtleties of flavor that I can walk around a grocery store and formulate a meal.

In that passing conversation with my stepmom, I realized that those one-person-meals I’ve always made for myself are exactly how I learned to cook well. The risks aren’t quite as high (i.e. only you will know it is too salty/undercooked/overcooked/bland), so the stress of cooking for yourself is way lower. Sure it can be tough to scale down big recipes (easy fix: learn how to use the freezer and love leftovers–some sauces, soups, and stews taste better with time) or intimidating because you don’t want to ruin expensive ingredients, but you’ll never learn unless you try, RIGHT?

My point is that it is NOT hard to be a good cook. Really, it isn’t.

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Cinnamon, Brown Sugar, and Brandy Ice Cream.

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This is the first of two posts about making things.

I made earl grey ice cream last week.

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