Beautifying, Cooking for 1 or 2, + a Sexy Salad Recipe

Happy Monday!  Hubs and I became empty nesters over a year ago and I started to look at recipes and cooking a little differently.  Cooking for 2 wasn’t quite as motivating as cooking for the whole family.  And if Hubs was out, I might be content with an apple with peanut butter, and flaky salt.  I have fun with recipes when the kids are back home or when I invite friends over, but if it’s just the two of us or (one of us), I find that I am winging it a bit more.  But, I still cook because I value homemade food over fast food.

Make sure you tune into my IG live every monday at 5:00 P.M. CST where Hubs and I cook dinner together!

 I recently made a quicker and easier version of my Potato and Bean Soup that turned out amazing.  I only made two servings but I wish I had made more!  Here’s what I did:

Saute ½ diced onion in 2 TBS olive oil until tender.  

Add 3 cloves finely chopped garlic and saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Add 1 large Yukon Gold potato, cubed, and 1 15-ounce can cooked white beans AND the liquid, and half can of water (probably ¾ cup), a parmesan rind and 1 cup chicken stock or bone broth (I used Brodo roasted garlic bone broth) + salt and pepper to taste.

Bring to a boil and lower to a simmer.  Cook covered for 15 minutes or until potatoes are soft.  You can remove rind and puree any amount of the soup or eat it as is.  Add chopped greens if you like.  Serve with parmesan cheese and a drizzle of good olive oil.

I also love a good fish in parchment recipe which is easy to make for one or two people.  My friend Annie Campbell just posted one on her Instagram that looks right up my alley. It’s beautiful and looks delicious and perfect for Valentine’s Day!  Cod with pink peppercorn butter and grapefruit relish. I love her 🎀 Fish en Papillote 🎀recipe on Instagram.

I have not gotten into air fryers.  I had one and gave it away.  Just didn’t love the way food turned out and it was totally impractical for a family of 5 since the basket is so small. Plus too many of the air fryers are lined with Teflon etc.  I now have a Breville Smart Oven toaster oven that has an air fryer program.  Still, I don’t use the air fryer feature. 

BUT, I have seen an air fryer that I am hearing really good things about and it’s non-toxic.  This is of course not sponsored and I haven’t tried it but the Wonder Oven from Our Place looks great.  It’s a 6-in-1 air fryer and toaster oven with steam infusion.  Would love to know from anyone here if you have it!

I mentioned that I found some new beauty products that I love.  I am pretty minimalist and I look for cleaner cosmetics.  

RMS Beauty Back2Brow Pencil has been great for filling in my eyebrows.  It goes on beautifully and looks really natural.

Rituel de Fille Levitation Lash Lifting + Lengthening Mascara very fond of this new mascara. Easy to apply, doesn’t clump and doesn’t come off during the day.

Consider being a paid subscriber to get even more musings!  Today I am sharing my most favorite new salad of the moment, a Sexy Winter Caprese. It’s perfect for Valentine’s Day or dinner parties or to treat yourself!