Any tips on cooking for just one person?

Question

There are some really good answers here--Thanks for the input. Part of the problem is I really like to cook but now have no one to cook for--takes all the joy out of it.

Answer 1

I eat a lot of salads and cook single chicken breast tenders or small steaks on my foreman grill.
If I make pasta or rice I make a whole box, separate it into single serving sizes, toss it with a little bit of olive oil or butter and freeze it in zipper bags. I like to use 1 serving of pasta, some sauce, and some cheese put in a small ramekin dish and baked, you can microwave it too but it's not as good, it's an easy dinner for one. Having single servings without sauce or seasoning allows you to season it with fresh herbs, sauce or whatever to match the theme of your meal.
I buy meat in family sizes and zipper bag the pieces individually, it's really easy to open the bag in the morning, put a little marinade in it and leave in the the fridge to thaw during the day. Sometimes I'll put some cut up veggies in a bag and marinate them in the same marinade as the meat.

ETA: Since I started cooking only for me I've been able to make much more gourmet meals and use ingredients that I love but my ex didn't. The joy will come back to your cooking once you get used to cooking for one.

Answer 2

It sucks, doesn't it? I am constantly frustrated with halving recipes and still having too much. I hate convenience foods so I want to cook. But everything comes in bigger and bigger packages these days, and if I am going to half the recipe I'm going to have a lot of left over ingredient. There is not enough tupperware in the world to store all my leftovers if I make the whole thing and freeze it. Then there is the eternal question of how long things "keep" for and whether it is safe to eat or not.

The only solution I have come up with is to cook for more than one and invite people over for dinner. My other single friends really appreciate it because I'm a pretty good cook and most of the time they were about to go to McDonalds (again). If nobody comes I give leftovers to neighbors or bring them to work for everyone to enjoy. Occasionally someone else chips in for my groceries.

Probably not the solution you were looking for, but it works for me.

Answer 3

Freeze. And eat for a week. My Mom cooks for only herself. She tends to make a meal on Sundays that she will then eat 2 more times during the week. Then one night is usually a frozen dinner. And other night is something easy that you can portion like chicken and frozen vegetables. Buy the frozen chicken tenderloins. You can defrost them in the microwave for a minute or two then finish cooking in a pan. There are tons of spice blends, a lot of which are salt free which is healthy. So spice up your chicken. Then cook frozen veggies in a microwave.

Check websites like www.allrecipes.com where they let you change the amount of servings for a recipe and it will automatically change the amounts to match the servings. Hope this helps!

Answer 4

sure get the flash frozen chicken breast so you can cook one at a time... I also freeze extra portions in freezer bags and reheat in the microwave... So, you can make rice, veggies chicken freeze it in a freezer bag and reheat another time.. Also, soups and stews freeze well. Just cool and pour into heavy duty freezer bag or small single serving container.. Label and freeze for up to 6 months.. You can also freeze sauces in induvidual or smaller portions in freezer bags just cool before putting into bag. I do this if I make a cassarole/soup/stew that we're sick of eating I freeze and then my husband can take it to work when he's ready to eat it again... Just be sure you label the food and date it so you know what it is.... !!! I also like to buy the precooked rotisserie chicken from the grocery store and strip the carcass of the all the meat.. You can use it on salads.. Make chicken salad for sandwiches or eat right off the bone ! Also good for chicken pot pie or chicken gravy/bisquits. You can also freeze it to re-heat at a later time. I take the carcass and make stock which is EASY/ GREAT for soups/gravy etc... Turkey you can so the same thing.. Although, for one I would buy a turkey breast... Good luck

Answer 5

for portion control on rice, pasta or similar put them into your bowl/plate uncooked at do what looks like just a little bit less than what you would want as they expand slightly when cooked.
For receipe ideas you could try:
1. curry (cook loads of then freeze)
2. chilli con carne
3. bolognese which could also be frozen or made into lasagne or cottage pie
4. pasta is always a good bet, and tesco's on tomato pasta sauce is fab.
5. jacket potatoes with tuna and beans and cheese, cook all in one pan it tastes surprisingly good
6. pasta bakes - long life
7. risotto can be bought in pre-prepared packets for one and they are really feeling and reasonable priced

hope these help.

Answer 6

I like to make like 8-10 normal size family meals like once a month then I freeze individual portions. Makes weeknights a breeze & I don't have to worry about what to cook.

Answer 7

Just cut the recipe in half or thirds or even fourths. I have a family but lunches are on my own and I usually just have simple things like an apple with a chicken sandwhich or cereal, buy your protiens out of the deli case because you can buy single meat servings.

Answer 8

If you have plenty of time, cook several small dinners and freeze them. If you are very busy eat out, take out or there are a lot of great frozen dinners on the market.

Answer 9

well now that me & my bf broke up ive had to learn to make smaller portions just for me. Just buy smaller cans or use smaller amounts. Usually the meals for 2 will work b/c theres never enough to feed both people. If theres some left just eat it the next day.

Answer 10

I will make things up in advance and freeze individual portions. For example, I will buy a "bulk" portion of hamburger. With that I will make meatballs, a meatloaf, hamburger patties, etc. Then freeze them. When I want them, I just pull them out and they are ready to use.