My grandfather was a Frenchman who instilled in me a deep appreciation for food. He wasn't much of a cook, but he loved to eat. When you dined with him, food was something to be savored and talked about.
Thus, it's fitting that the story I recall him telling time and again was about Lucius Lucullus, a celebrated Roman general and bon vivant. Lucullus was known for his extravagant parties. However, on a rare night when he found himself dining alone, his staff assumed he would want a simple meal. So, his cooks were surprised when he asked for the finest food. They questioned him.
"Why would you want all of this if you are dining alone?"
"Alone?" Lucullus, declared. "Tonight, Lucullus is dining with Lucullus."
As a kid, I understood the story as a reminder that dinner is an event to be celebrated. However, as I began cooking, I found greater meaning in its message. Cooking for yourself is a powerful act of self-love. Now when I find myself alone in the kitchen or cooking for just my daughters, I think of Lucullus and seize the moment to make what I adore. So, when my husband was away on a trip this summer, I worked on a new recipe, my own take on a childhood favorite, chicken Milanese with a tangy green apple salad. A meal I find worthy of those nights when "Lucullus is dining with Lucullus."
- Amy McCauley of Hinsdale is the paper's food columnist. Readers can email her at [email protected].
