Some nights, you come home and open the fridge, only to realize there's barely anything left inside.
One egg.
One tomato.
A little scallion in the corner of the fridge.
In the past, when this happened, I might have simply closed the fridge door.
“Forget it. I’ll order delivery.”
Or I’d just make a bowl of instant noodles and call it a meal.
But eventually, I realized that life doesn’t need to be lavish every day.
Sometimes, the things left in the fridge are exactly enough to turn into a steaming-hot dinner for yourself.
Today, we’re making the simplest dish of all—
Tomato Scrambled Eggs.
It’s a home-style dish many people have been eating since childhood.
There aren’t many ingredients, and it isn’t difficult to make.
But when I’m eating alone, I find it especially just right.
No need to cook a huge pot.
No need to prepare lots of side dishes.
A portion for one is just right.
[Ingredients]
2 eggs
1 tomato
1 scallion
1 tablespoon cooking oil
A pinch of salt
If you like, you can also prepare a little pepper.
[Instructions]
First, wash the tomato well and cut it into small pieces.
Slice the scallion.
Crack the eggs into a bowl, add a little salt, and beat until well combined.
Second, heat the pan and add the cooking oil.
Pour in the beaten eggs.
Once the eggs have set slightly, gently move them around with a spatula.
Don’t cook them until they’re too dry.
When the eggs are about seventy to eighty percent cooked, transfer them to a plate for now.
Third, there’s no need to wash the pan.
Put the tomato straight into it.
Cook slowly over medium-low heat.
Once the tomato heats up, it will start releasing its juices. At that point, add a little salt.
If you like more sauce, add a tablespoon or two of water.
Fourth, pour the scrambled eggs back into the pan.
Gently toss everything together.
Let the eggs soak up the tomato juices.
Finally, sprinkle on a handful of sliced scallions.
If you like the taste of pepper, add a little of that too.
Turn off the heat.
Serve the rice.
Done.
A bowl of hot rice.
A plate of Tomato Scrambled Eggs.
That’s it.
There’s no impressive technique and no expensive ingredients.
But when you sit down with your rice in front of you, you may suddenly realize:
A dinner for one can actually feel like a real meal.
We often think we need a reason to eat well.
You should eat something better on your birthday.
You should eat something better on a holiday.
You’re only willing to cook a whole tableful of dishes when someone is coming over.
But what if nothing special happened today?
That’s okay too.
Maybe you’re exhausted from work today.
Maybe you’re in a bad mood.
Maybe no one is with you today.
Maybe absolutely nothing happened today.
None of that means you can’t make yourself a real meal.
Because eating simply doesn’t need a reason.
You’re hungry.
So you eat.
You’ve worked hard.
So you deserve to eat a little better.
And “better” doesn’t necessarily mean expensive.
One egg and one tomato can still make a good dinner.
Sometimes, what we’re really missing isn’t the ingredients.
It’s the person willing to spend a little time on us.
If that person is just you today,
then do it yourself.
Cut up the tomato.
Beat the eggs.
Heat the pan.
Slowly make yourself a real meal.
Then sit down.
No scrolling on your phone.
No rushing.
Take your time and finish your meal.
Because eating alone doesn’t mean you can lower your standards.
Quite the opposite.
When no one else is preparing a meal for you, remember to prepare one for yourself.
The fridge only has eggs and tomatoes left today?
That’s okay.
They can still become a real meal.
And you still deserve to eat a good one.