TASTE TEST

What UAE foodies eat when they’re cooking for one

“I love to cook brunch on my own; it’s proper relaxation time for me and I try not to make the same thing twice. I order my food delivery box to arrive early on a Friday and I’ll spend the morning experimenting with fresh veggies and perhaps a few leftovers. The end result usually involves soft poached eggs (or sometimes tofu) with sweet corn fritters or a colourful vegetable fry-up.”

Chloe Ride, Dubai food stylist and recipe developer, www.chloeride.com

“If I’m home alone, there is nothing that I enjoy more than a flawlessly cooked steak with some asparagus and sauteed mushrooms – it’s the perfect meal for a movie night in.”

Luigi Vespero, executive chef, Galvin Dubai & Demoiselle by Galvin, demoiselledubai.com

“When I can eat exactly what I feel like, it is usually fresh labneh with hot Arabic bread, above anything else. Working in the food industry, I’m also super lucky to be the recipient of my friends’ experiments and I try to keep these to be eaten solo, as being alone allows for a more focused evaluation and feedback.”

Kathy Johnston, chief chocolate officer, Mirzam Chocolate, mirzam.com

“To be honest, my go-to meal when I’m only cooking for myself is a steak done really simply and served with garlic herb tomatoes, a Portobello mushroom and new potatoes. If I’m watching what I’m eating and being diet conscious, I’ll go for fillet, but otherwise it’s rib-eye all the way.”

James Hitchens, chef and founder, Hitchens Kitchens, hitchenskitchens.ae

“When the rest of the family are out, I’m more than likely to eat something egg-based because it’s quick; perhaps a shakshuka with veggies that the kids would reject. My other favourite thing to make is a sharing platter, but just for myself – so a spread with little bit of hummus, some smashed avocado, a beetroot dip, a quick mix of chickpeas with sundried tomatoes and some toasted bread.”

Sukaina Rajabali, food and lifestyle photographer, sukainarajabali.com