Joy of Cooking

Sometimes, simple meals are best.

With all the preparations for Thanksgiving coming up, regular meals can get the short end of the stirring stick. While cooking tonight’s dinner, I thought that this is the meal that really counts. Thanksgiving, with its glorious excess, is a stunt, a bit of a show-off. This meal tonight, just the weaver and me, simple chicken, rice and beans; eaten mostly in silence—we’d each had a long day—was a quiet statement about ourselves and our life together. No need to shout, plain nourishment, and a sense of completeness. We'll have the big show Thursday, with relatives and turkey.

A table for two will do tonight... simple meals are best.