Don’t you just love the scene in Must Love Dogs when Diane Lane gets in an argument with her butcher over a single chicken breast? As depressing as Diane Lane can make single-life look, dinner for one on Mendenhall is never half bad. I’ll be the first to admit that cooking for one is never the most appealing excercise but it should certainly never feel like punishment. Single folks deserve well-cooked homemade meals too!
I proved this point on Monday night when I put together a great meal of Salt and Pepper Salmon, Lemon Smashed Potatoes and sautéed sugar snap peas. I bought just enough for one – and had a completely civilized and quiet evening alone (aside from Winston barking under the dining room table).
Salt and Pepper Salmon (adapted from a Tyler Florence recipe)
Ingredients:
- 1 small piece of salmon
- salt & pepper
- olive oil
- butter
- lemon, juiced
Assembly: Lightly salt the salmon and let it sit for a couple of minutes. Heat a splash of olive oil in a pan on medium high until almost smoking. Add a sprinkle of pepper on the salmon. Smear a small amount of butter on the skin side of the salmon (not the healthiest but it will help the skin get super crispy). Add the salmon to the pan skin side down. Sear until crispy – about 5 minutes. Flip and cook for one or two additional minutes. Plate and sprinkle with lemon juice!
Mod Meals on Mendenhall 
that is an excellent scene in “must love dogs”. . . and although i am not single, i will be living alone in mke this summer for my internship and i am very worried about my ability to cook for 1. because as you know, i struggle to cook quantities appropriate for 2 (or let’s be honest, 8).