Cooking for one can often be more of a challenge than cooking for a large group. Many singles find it easier to go to restaurants or purchase prepared food than to create their own meals from scratch. However, cooking dinner is almost always less expensive than ordering takeout, so more people are turning to the kitchen in the evenings. With a little preparation and planning, cooking for one will become easy and fun.
Stock Your Pantry
1. Prepare for the unexpected. Things come up and dinner may be forgotten. Keep essential items such as rice, beans, and pasta on hand to avoid temptation to go out to eat. Dried pasta and a jar of sauce can create a meal in minutes. Make a list of pantry staples and stock your cupboards.
2. Use herbs and spices. These simple ingredients add instant flavor to an otherwise ordinary meal. However, purchase small containers because herbs and spices do lose their flavor over time.
Cooking Large Batches
3. Take leftovers for lunch. Foods like lasagna and meatloaf may seem like they would make too much when cooking for one. Find creative ways to transform your leftovers into other meals. Meatloaf sandwiches are an easy and delicious lunch.
4. Freeze leftovers for a long-term solution. Ziploc bags and Tupperware make it easy to store food in the freezer. Divide leftovers into single-serving portions before freezing to create home-cooked "frozen meals" that are healthier than the alternatives at the grocery store.
5. Learn canning techniques. Excesses of fresh produce do not have to go to waste. Create fresh jams, pickles, or sauces and store them for future use in your pantry.
Use Your Appliances
6. Try a toaster oven. When cooking for one in the summer, turning on the oven is not always appealing. A small toaster oven is an easy way to avoid the heat. Miniature baking and roasting pans are available for toaster ovens. You can now roast your vegetables or meats without heating up your home.
7. Use your slow cooker. Crock pots are a convenient way to create great tasting meals, even when cooking for one. Add all your ingredients in the morning and dinner will be ready in 8 to 10 hours. Soups and stews freeze easily so you can preserve your leftovers.
Keep It Healthy
8. Buy in season. Fruits and vegetables that are currently in season will have the most flavor and value pricing. Find out when each item is at its peak, and purchase accordingly.
9. Frozen fruits and vegetables are great staples. Freezers should be stocked with essential items that would otherwise be perishable. Create a grocery list of freezer essentials.
10. Grow your own fresh herbs and produce. Even the smallest apartments often have space for potted herbs. Larger balconies or outdoor spaces can be used to grow tomatoes. These fresh ingredients add flavor and are healthy choices.
Cooking for one can be as much fun as planning a dinner party. Experiment with new recipes, ingredients, tools, and ideas. Mealtime will become an exciting and healthy part of the day.
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