As a single, unemployed, busy girl who lives alone, cooking involved meals is not usually one of my top priorities. Fast and easy is my bag. (FOR MY FOOD. Mind out of the gutter.)
But for some reason, I wanted to make myself something nice last night. Maybe I was inspired by the Food Network event, but I wanted to make myself a nice meal.
Scallops are one of my favorite foods and something I know I can easily cook without ruining, so I stopped to pick up some scallops on the way home.
I didn’t have a recipe in mind, so I searched my Google Reader when I got home. I don’t follow anyone who makes super-fancy, complicated meals all the time, so I knew I could probably follow any recipe I would find in my reader.
I found this great orange-glazed scallop recipe from Kath and decided to give it a try.
Ah, yes. This is why I am a lazy chef. I hate cleaning up the kitchen after I cook.
I cooked the scallops in butter and then set out to make the sauce. I didn’t have red peppers, so I used grape tomatoes instead. What? They’re still red. I also used chardonnay instead of vignonet.
I also made a batch of couscous and grilled some asparagus in my grill pan, and I had a lovely little dinner.
This little guy was no help. He just monkeyed around while I was cooking and cleaning.
All kidding aside, cooking this relatively easy, but still nice, dinner was such a great little pick-me-up last night and really wasn’t any harder than making a bunch of veggies, a protein and throwing it over a carb and calling it a stir fry or pasta.
Today I’m at a social media for nonprofits conference for Junior League. I’ll let you know if I learn anything good.
Also, you might want to check out a piece I wrote for Brazen Careerist about five unexpected ways losing 50 pounds is helping my job search.
What do you want to know about social media? Junior League? Bailey? Do you cook nice dinners if it’s just you or do you just make some lazy-girl version? (I really never realized what a nice pick-me-up a decent diner I made for myself could be.)
Sometimes cooking yourself a nice meal is a good way to treat yourself. 🙂 I love to cook, but HB won’t ever let me in the kitchen.
ps. your dog is SO cute!
Searching my Google Reader is one of my favorite ways to find new recipes! Especially if I have something kind of in mind that I want but just need a recipe to make it a meal.
Also – Bailey adorable. 🙂
I’m about 50/50 — sometimes I lazy-girl boil some pasta when I’m cooking for one, sometimes I make something special for myself. When I am in the mood to cook, I’ll try to make something I can freeze for all those times when I’m *not* in the mood!
I don’t think I’ve ever cooked scallops, but those look delicious.
Haha your post cracked me up. What? They’re still red!
holy cow, those are some teeny scallops! i dont think ive ever seen them that small. i cook every night of the week for myself & my boyfriend in addition to making his lunches every day. & i wouldnt have it any other way. everything from scratch w/ the best ingredients. every nights dinner is an event. my mom said “give it a few years & youll get bored or run out of ideas”, but its been 22 years & i still get exited about planning the weeks menu & shopping for new & unusual ingredients. & thanks to the internet, i doubt ill ever run out of ideas.
@Jennifer: Yeah, they’re bay scallops. (I prefer sea scallops, but my stupid grocery store didn’t have them.)
That’s great! I go through phases…sometimes I cook every night, sometimes I order out every night for a week.
looks very gourmet!
Hi Theodora! Were you wearing a pink running tank yesterday (w/ your last name on back) and running near 8th & 50th? I was in NYC for work and was crossing the street and spotted you (or your twin!)! I didn’t want to interrupt your run but just wanted to say thanks for writing such a fantastic blog 🙂 What a small world we live in!
@Mary: yes!! You should have stopped me to say hello!! And thanks!!
Bailey who is your little friend?
Theodora the meal looks good, this is from picky Mom!!!!!
Red is red in my book. Looks gorgeous and I bet it tasted fantastic too!
I’m total lazy girl. I’d be happy eating cereal every night if I didn’t need the protein/veggies. I’m happiest with random, lazy meals like a baked sweet potato with black beans or a grilled cheese or a salad. I hate cleaning up, and I don’t really like to spend more than 10 minutes preparing a meal.
Oh! Great article! Super creative. I like the “trust your training” mantra as well.
single girl meals are the best! and major lolz @ the red grape tomatoes comment.
I’m reading back through some of your posts and this cracked me up, especially the tomato substitution part. 🙂