Naomi: Cooking for one and for friends



For years now, even before I wrote the recipes in what I think of as my "static blog," Fiftytworecipesfrommymother, at the request of my children, Sarah and Sam, Sarah had been urging me to keep a daily (more or less) record of my cookings--the meals I make for myself in my (surprisingly) solitary life as well as those I make for friends. For whatever reasons, I've never done it.


But, after months of wandering, I've finally begun. As I haven't quite mastered the art of cooking for one, and love throwing together grand meals at the last minute, I have been encouraging friends to call to check on what I might have on hand any evening for a quick meal. Instructions can be found in my entry for March 20th--What's in Naomi's Refrigerator.

This is primarily a record of the meals I prepare for myself and others, accompanied by "mug shots" of the food (when I remember to photograph before eating). Shot by my phone, with no styling, they may not capture their subjects at their best, but so be it.



Wednesday, June 6, 2012

June 6. Biking to Social Security. Golden Tofu and Carrots with Peanut Sauce .

As part of my effort of combining longer than usual (for me) bicycle trips with activities linked to my ever-advancing years,  I biked 5 miles to the Social Security Office in West Los Angeles to begin the process of figuring out "retirement benefits."  I thought I'd done due diligence by ferreting out some documents pertaining to my divorce, but those xeroxed sheets were scarcely sufficient.  I need  certified copies of both marriage and divorce certificates (with serious raised seals).  .  I was assured by our government's friendly representative that this will not be a problem.  We shall see.
Biked from social security to yoga (that's almost ten miles of serious biking).  After yoga,  stopped at the Bike Center where Emily gave my bike a quick tune-up to prepare me for a possible bike-ride downtown to get a certified divorce certificate--and even better offered to make the trek with me next Tuesday.  Since my bumper was smashed in at Fred Segal over two months ago, I have gradually (and much to my surprise) I have become seriously car adverse and bike almost everywhere--the thought of driving downtown, dealing with traffic, parking, etc. is more daunting than the thought of biking 30 miles round trip.  This might mean I'm losing my mind. Evidence not quite in.
Lena called just as I was heading home.  She was planning to walk over with baby Phoebe (now four months old!).  As we were both starving, it was a perfect opportunity to speed home and see what I could lure out of my refrigerator.
I made Golden Tofu with Peanut Sauce in record breaking time.
Noodles with Golden Tofu, Orange Carrots, Green Cilantro and Peanut Sauce
using that excellent recipe  from Deborah Madison's Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone.  I didn't caramelize it--so much hunger, so little time, but the time limitations and hovering guaranteed   I didn't overcook the tofu--it was golden and crispy on the outside while soft in the interior.  Happily meshed with the quick peanut sauce, and pasta.  I sauteed a few carrots that I'd peeled and forgotten about last week using the fthe tofu's abandoned  oil --and voila--an almost instantaneous late lunch!!  Coffee and chocolate ice cream for dessert.

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