What to Cook when It Is Rainy and You Are Lonely

You need

• 1 large baking potato
• butter
• filling: beans, cheese, tuna-mayo or coleslaw
• salt

Method

1. Prick the potato, microwave 8–10 min, then crisp in a hot oven 10 min (or all-oven for an hour).
2. Split, fluff and butter.
3. Add your filling.
4. Season well.

You need

• 2 slices bread
• butter
• 2 slices cheese
• 1 can chopped tomatoes
• 1 garlic clove
• pinch sugar
• salt, pepper

Method

1. Simmer tomatoes with crushed garlic, a pinch of sugar and salt for ~10 min; blend if you like it smooth.
2. Butter the bread on the outside, fill with cheese.
3. Fry on medium until golden both sides and melting.
4. Cut diagonally and dunk.

You need

• 2 tbsp popcorn kernels
• 1 tbsp oil
• salt
• optional: butter, cinnamon-sugar

Method

1. Heat oil and 2–3 kernels in a lidded pan until they pop.
2. Add the rest, cover, shake until popping slows.
3. Tip out fast so it doesn't burn.
4. Season while hot.

You need

• 1 cup milk (any)
• 2 tsp cocoa
• 1–2 tsp sugar
• small piece dark chocolate
• pinch salt

Method

1. Warm the milk gently.
2. Whisk in cocoa, sugar and a pinch of salt.
3. Melt in a little chopped chocolate for body.
4. Pour and hold the warm mug.

You need

• 1/2 cup rice
• 4 cups stock or water
• thumb of ginger, sliced
• soy sauce
• spring onion
• optional: egg

Method

1. Simmer rice, stock and ginger ~25–30 min until soft and soupy, stirring now and then.
2. Swirl in a beaten egg at the end if you like.
3. Season with soy.
4. Top with spring onion.

You need

• good bread
• options: avocado + chilli + lemon / ricotta + honey / beans + cheese

Method

1. Toast the bread well.
2. Pick one topping set and pile it on.
3. Finish with salt, a squeeze of acid, or a drizzle of honey.
4. Eat warm.