Alone in the Kitchen with an Eggplant: Confessions of Cooking for One and Dining Alone

This book contains a wide variety of stories centered on each author's experiences with and personal relationships with food. Whether an author is famous or lessor known, it will make no difference to the reader as the editor has done a wonderful job assembling a stellar collection of tales to which the reader can relate. I personally have been inspired to eat as much asparagus as I possibly can this year in large part because, as it seems that every year I seem to glom on to some fruit or vegetable and eat about as much of it as I can, one of the authors in the book relates her similar foray into asparagus and now that is this year's spot lit food for me.Some of the stories will lead you to be able to recreate the food or dish that meant so much to the author. Some will just make an emotional connection with you (you'll laugh, you'll cry, it'll become a part of you) and you'll appreciate the author's life view as reflected in their take on food.Ultimately, you will read this book, you will feel your time has been well spent, and you will leave it on a conveniently located shelf so you can quickly check on the spelling of asparagus in German.

I really like this book. I'm halfway through it. I have enjoyed reading it an essay at a time. It has sparked great conversations with my friends and the people I work with when we are at lunch. I thought I was alone in the way I cook for myself when I'm the only one eating, but that's not the case! One might choose to spoil one's self by making something deliciously rich and having a great glass of wine to accompany the meal. On the other hand, some think it is a treat not to have to make a mess in the kitchen, making one's self the simplest of meals….cheese and crackers. I've gone both routes myself! Anyhow, I think it would be a fun book for a book club!

Loved it so much that I had to give copies to sisters who cook alone...

I found this book at the start of the COVID quarantine and am so happy I did. These essays, from some of the powerhouse writers of the food world, served as a reminder to me that you’re never really alone in the kitchen. Food holds memories. Food locks in the past, preserving it in a way that’s unique and ever shifting. The book’s question is: What and how do you eat when your alone? Simple enough. The answers, however, are massively entertaining and anything but simple. The recipes don’t hurt either.

I would have picked up this book based on the Laurie Colwin quote alone (and the gorgeous jacket!), but was thrilled by the diverse essays--some of which are really about food ("Asparagus Superhero" by Phoebe Nobles, which is also really a bit of a body confessional), some about loneliness (Haruki Murakami's stylish "The Year of Spaghetti," and Jeremy Jackson's impressions of exile in "Beans and Me"), and some more tangental, even abstract. I loved the relationship between the essays, recurring themes and variations. Ferrari-Adler's eloquent introduction is like a welcome into a bread-scented kitchen--I felt entirely at ease, taking up a wine glass to join the conversation. Delicious!

The condition of the book was excellent. If I hadn’t purchased it myself I would have thought it was new! I highly recommend “Thrift Books”!

This is a wonderful little book. If you like to read and you like food this book will touch your heart.

This is a collection of short stories centered on the idea of eating alone - or feeding oneself when unaccompanied. It is a great foodie read and would make an excellent gift for a foodie you know. Funny, happy, sad, poignant...all the emotions we have experienced when eating alone are represented. Many of the authors are heavy hitters in the food world. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it without reservations.

I adore this book. Elegant, cosy, perfect evening read

this is a great read and love the accompanying recipes

Didn't get a lot of great recipes, but I enjoyed reading this so much!

I actually read it before but gave my copy away. But wanted to re-read and wanted to have a copy of my own. It is a most fun and delightful book, especially for us "foodies". I so recommend it!