What’s Your Favorite Meal?
At home or out to dinner, I like my food my way.
By Joan A. Roberts
Do you have a favorite meal when you go out—and another one you love only at home?
Sometimes we eat out for the atmosphere. The bustle, the different surroundings, the pleasure of sitting somewhere other than our own kitchen. We meet friends, take the family out, try something new, or simply let someone else do the cooking.
And sometimes there is something waiting at home that no restaurant can quite give us.
I am a foodie. I love thinking about food, looking at dishes from different countries, trying them, and making them. Aside from my familiar breakfast and coffee, I enjoy variety. I care about what is on my plate and how it is prepared.
Eating out is an occasional pleasure for me. Sometimes it fills a practical gap: I have forgotten my lunch box, or I am caught between work and another responsibility and need something to keep me going. Other times, the outing itself is the pleasure.
But home is where I can give my meals the attention I want. My ingredients. My portions. My seasoning. My way.
And let us be honest: at home, you can go back to the pot once, twice, even three times. Try that at a restaurant and see what happens to the bill.
There is a freedom around the family table, too. My children remind me of that. You can relax, laugh, and enjoy your food without making every mouthful a formal occasion. Some days, the manners nearly fly out the window—but the enjoyment stays.
Do you like mushroom soup? I do. Chicken soup or chicken noodle soup can be especially comforting on a cold day when I am feeling unwell. Perhaps your favorite is spaghetti and meatballs. Salmon? Beef? What meal makes you look forward to sitting down?
One of my simple favorites begins with pasta. I put carrots, greens, and green peas into a frying pan with a little oil and seasoning. When the pasta is ready, I toss it into the vegetables. Sometimes I make a tomato sauce with meatballs. Other times, I serve the vegetable pasta beside salmon, beef, or a couple of chicken wings.
A little juice sometimes, a lovely plate, and dinner is ready.
An inexpensive meal can still be colorful, thoughtfully prepared, and satisfying. A little parsley on top does not hurt either. You know how I feel about that finishing touch.
I once took food orders through my home food business, Enish Concepts. That was one phase of my life. Today, I would rather enjoy cooking for family and friends than pursue it as a career. Being a chef is not my calling, even if I could happily talk about food all day.
I still want to go out sometimes—to see what is new, taste something different, and enjoy the company. Then I want to come home and make something lovely in my own kitchen.
I do not have to wait to become rich. I can light a candle, arrange what I already have, thank God, and enjoy my dinner.
So tell me: what is your favorite meal at home, and what do you order when you go out?
