Something a bit special that won't ruin my diet?

[Runbunny]

Two things at play.

I used to love cooking and Fridays were always my evening for pottering in the kitchen with a glass of wine, chatting with DH while we made something delicious for dinner. Then he died and I've barely cooked properly since, it all seems too much bother just for me.

As a result, I ate rubbish and gained weight, but I'm starting to get my act together and only have a few pounds to go to get back to where I was "before".

So, if I put some music on and spend a peaceful evening in the kitchen tonight, what are your suggestions for something to cook (for one) that's Friday night special but still keeps me on track?

Honestly I'd take your Friday night as the night to enjoy your food. Do it in memory of your DH, make something good for your soul. You're being sensible the rest of the week, then allow a little cream or a little extra oil into the equation. Make it something really tasty. A good quality small steak and jacket potato, but let yourself have butter. Plus have fresh steamed veg. Or something with nice seafood. Not going insane with the calories but not sweating them either. I'm aware I feel like I've contradicted myself there, but I want you to re-find the joy for cooking, make sure all the elements are in proportion but don't worry about what you cook. You're cooking from scratch so that's great to begin with. Is there something you love and haven't had for ages? Maybe make a smaller portion and really bulk up the veg. Sorry awfully rambley but hope you see what I'm trying to say.

Or change it to a Saturday morning cooked breakfast so it's not too poignant

Yes, I don't mean "diet" food, but something that's still healthy and nutrious. I struggle to find interesting recipes for one, and whilst I could cook the extra for another day, not everything lends itself to that and it's all a bit depressing

Steak, salad, jacket potato with sour cream.

Or essentially a nice lean meat, served with greenery, carbs and a treat sauce.

Pork chops basted with a honey and wholegrain mustard mix, serve with mash and green beans. Drizzle all juices out the frying pan onto the chops.

Roast chicken in a wrap with salad (I like extras like pomegranate) and oven baked wedges if you want them.

I'm not a huge fan of steak, I'm never sure what all the fuss is about.

Tacos have a bit of a Friday night feel but the shells are low calorie and they can include a lot of veg/ protein.

Pre cooked prawns and sauce, perfectly chilled. Lovely strawberries and cream or your favourite cheese for the pudding. Also a special wine glass.

If I was cooking something nice for just me today, it would probably be maple glazed samon fillets with roast potatoes and garlic tender stem broccoli x

I’ve recently planted a herb garden and made a fruit salad with herbs in and it is SO LUSH.

I just chopped up apples, clementines, strawberries. Added some blueberries and a squeeze of lemon. Then threw in lots of ripped-up mint and basil. It tastes posh.

One of my favourite treat "fake away" meals that's not too unhealthy is homemade fried rice with my own version of salt and pepper chicken.

for the chicken I dry fry salt flakes with 5 spice powder then mix some of it with cornflour. I make a really runny batter with the cornflour mix just to toss the chicken bits in then cook in the oven, turning every now and again. When the chicken is nearly cooked I add some green pepper, chunky chopped spring onion and pineapple to the tray. Then once it's all cooked I sprinkle a bit more of the seasoned 5 spice salt, shake it up and serve.

for the fried rice I cook the rice for 9 minutes the night before I want it then dry it and put in the fridge, the slightly harder texture helps when you fry it. I make an omelette mix with a bit of 5 spice and some soy sauce, then I scramble it until very dry in some stir fry oil. I then fry my rice with a bit of garlic and ginger paste and some stir fry oil and add in ordinary cocktail prawns, peas, sweetcorn, thinly sliced ham and some cooked chicken. You can finish with a little bit of toasted sesame oil. Add the scrambled egg last

it really tastes like the takeaway but not so greasy. I much prefer it to ordering in and I pre prepare the toppings and freeze them ready to use. I actually make my own char Sui pork and velveted chicken pieces but that's another tale 😂

if you didn't bother with the cornflour batter bit and left out the stir fry oil and just used spray instead this meal would be free on slimming world.

Oh I'm going to try that.

I'd really love if you could share your recipe for char Sui pork please!

A lovely salmon fillet with a home made teriyaki type glaze / sauce made with just honey, soy sauce, lemon and garlic with asparagus and a really smooth buttery mash.

I'm hungry now... 😁

@GargoylesofBeelzebub this recipe is the one I use. It's great
https://pupswithchopsticks.com/sweet-sticky-chinese-bbq-pork-aka-char-siu/#recipe

Also I don't buy the red fermented tofu stuff. I just use oyster sauce and I put a bit of red food colouring in it. I use pork tenderloin.
we also have it in ramen

For an easy treat, I poach a chicken breast in some stock, with the juice and zest of half an orange and a teaspoon of grain mustard. Enough liquid to almost cover the chicken and keep a lid on. Meanwhile, I boil new potatoes [Jersey Royals, or Charlotte are nice] and a green veg - broccoli, mange tout, courgettes, or anything else that looks good. When the chicken is done, I stir in a dollop of hal fat crème fraîche to finish the sauce.
If there's to much liquid at the end, I turn the heat up to reduce the stock a little

Lobster.

What about some fish? A plaice fillet, a Dover sole or some fresh sardines perhaps? You could add a hollandaise or fresh tartare sauce, and an interesting vegetable such as asparagus or garden peas and lettuce cooked together French style.
Whatever you choose, enjoy the evening and your meal!

@QuietlyWonderful that sounds really nice

Shakshouka?

There's an Instagram that does one portion recipes, I'll find it

Here

www.instagram.com/eleanorgwilkinson?igsh=N3JxNXptb2sxMHYw

I'd go for a tuna nicois with tuna steak, adapt your salad dressing to suit your diet plan but I don't think you can beat a good quality, thick balsamic vinegar. Whether to include potatoes is up to you, personally I don't think it needs them but it's up to you. Egg slightly soft in the middle, green salad ( I add red onion, celery and a few slivers of apple. Tuna steak cooked so pink in the middle.

No meal suggestion (I cook for one but probably nothing that you would want!) but how about getting a special plate - just one and use that on a Friday.

Maybe bring out smelly candles too!

For pudding - strawberries dipped in melted dark chocolate and put in the fridge to set. Maybe with a small spoonful of nice ice cream.

I often have to cook for just me. Some of my favourites are.
Asian style duck salad
Greek style lamb/chicken with tzatsiki, greek salad and crispy roast potatoes, Gammon egg and chips (not so special but delicious)
Mushroom Alfredo on a toasted Ciabatta with rocket salad (not very healthy)
Tandoori chicken and saag aloo.

You could plan a different theme each week of your favourite cuisines like one week Italian, next week French etc to try and make it fun for yourself. I like the idea of having a special plate for Fridays too.

I went for mussels , and am enjoying them and a glass of wine in the garden 😊