Bachelor Kitchen | Meal Planning | Family Recipes

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Cooking Together in My Son’s Bachelor Kitchen – A Family’s Recipe for Love and Food

There’s something magical about cooking in a bachelor’s kitchen. It’s not the sprawling counters or gleaming appliances—because trust me, most bachelor kitchens are compact, quirky, and full of improvisations. The magic comes from the stories simmering in pots, the laughter around chopping boards, and the love that binds the people stirring those curries. As I am staying at my son’s bachelor pad, these days food has become the bridge between generations, the soft glue that syncs our different meal habits into one harmonious rhythm.


Muesli with curd & fruits - Our No-Cooking Breakfast

Finding Our Sync in a Bachelor’s Kitchen

My son has his own style of eating—light, quick, and fuss-free. We, on the other hand, come from a home where meals were structured and traditional: oats or poha for breakfast, dal-sabzi-roti for lunch, and wholesome dinners. The contrast could have led to chaos, but instead, it turned into creativity.

For example, he usually skips breakfast, while we thrive on oats. The solution? He thoughtfully stocked up on muesli and fresh fruits, so we could keep our morning ritual intact. He doesn’t use milk in his kitchen—but got it just for us. Such small gestures speak louder than recipes; they’re the real seasoning of family cooking.

Lunches Reinvented

Back home, our lunch table would be simple—dal, a vegetable, and chapati or rice. Here, in his bachelor pad, lunch is reimagined. We’ve shifted to lighter plates: crunchy salads tossed with paneer cubes, or a slice of fresh bread alongside fruits. It’s nutritious, practical, and keeps us energised through busy days.

Dinners – Where We Truly Come Together

The heart of our day is dinner. Here, our tastes align beautifully—soft wheat flatbreads, comforting daals, rajma, chana, or even fun experiments like pizza, sandwiches, or chowmein. The bachelor's kitchen becomes a mini-restaurant, where every evening is a little celebration.

The tempting Pizza - Fresh from the Oven!

Cooking isn’t a chore for us; it’s a stress buster. The workload has definitely tripled in this compact kitchen, but there’s no pressure. Instead, there’s music, banter, chopping, stirring, and plating. And since my knees often protest, the father-son duo takes over the heavier work, while I guide, taste, and cheer them on.

Food as Family Time

Meal planning in this bachelor’s kitchen is more than just menus—it’s about syncing habits, respecting each other’s choices, and creating something that satisfies all of us. In the process, we’ve realised that food doesn’t just fill the stomach; it fills the heart.

Every chopped tomato, every rolled roti, every shared plate reminds me: food is not about recipes alone, it’s about relationships. And this shared kitchen time with my son has become one of the most fulfilling chapters of my food journey.

Our Bachelor Kitchen Special Recipe: Quick Rajma with a Twist

Because no Indian kitchen, bachelor or otherwise complete without rajma! Here’s how we keep it simple yet soulful.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup boiled rajma (red kidney beans)

  • 1 onion, finely chopped

  • 2 tomatoes, pureed (or ½ cup canned tomatoes)

  • 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste

  • 1 tsp cumin seeds

  • ½ tsp turmeric powder

  • ½ tsp red chilli powder (adjust to taste)

  • 1 tsp rajmah masala

  • 1 tbsp oil or ghee

  • Salt to taste

  • Fresh coriander to garnish

Method:

  1. Heat oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.

  2. Add chopped onions and sauté till golden.

  3. Mix in ginger-garlic paste and cook till aromatic.

  4. Add tomato puree, turmeric, and red chilli powder. Cook till oil separates.

  5. Toss in boiled rajma, along with a cup of water. Let it simmer for 10–12 minutes.

  6. Finish with rajmah masala and fresh coriander.

Bachelor Kitchen Twist: Pair it not just with rice or roti, but also with bread toast, tortilla wraps, or even stuff it inside a sandwich. Quick, filling, and utterly comforting!

Cooking in a bachelor’s kitchen may sound limiting, but in reality, it’s liberating. It forces creativity, builds teamwork, and turns everyday meals into soulful experiences. At the end of the day, it’s not about the size of the kitchen—it’s about the size of love that goes into the food. And in our case, the recipe is simple: a pinch of tradition, a dash of modernity, and a whole lot of family.

As I was scrolling through my gallery, hunting for photos to add to this post, I realised I’ve missed capturing so many of our kitchen triumphs—like the glossy chane, the creamy dal makhni, or the comfort of rajma bubbling on the stove. These dishes deserve their spotlight, too! I’ve promised myself to be more mindful now, to document this food journey with the same love and attention we pour into cooking. After all, every meal tells a story, and I don’t want to leave a single chapter behind.

So stay tuned, because more recipes, stories, and bachelor-kitchen adventures are on their way to PetPuja.com. Our plates may change, but the joy of sharing food will always remain constant. 

Neerja Bhatnagar

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