Suddenly Single - What's for dinner?

[cdepauli]

My husband just got a job where he will be working some evenings. Needless to say, I haven't had to cook for just me in a while.

Do you wonderful creative disboard members have any good suggestions for making dinner for 1?

TIA!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I would make sure to have leftovers because I would not be cooking.

 

[ilovejack02]

I would keep frozen chicken breasts on hand, the kind that are several to a bag. Tyson makes them. You can heat it up in a skillet from frozen. I always cook a cpl and eat one and put the other chopped up on a salad the next day. Or I cut up both and make chicken salad. There are single serving veggies in freezer aisle or in cans.

Not that creative lol, but fast and easy. Oh I freeze hamburger patties between wax paper . they need to be kinda thin, and then throw in skillet, can do this from frozen too.

You can also make a batch of soup or chili and freeze in single servings.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I'd make a lot of "double duty" dinners so I wasn't cooking for only one every night. For example, I'd roast a chicken one day, then cut it up into a salad the next. Or I'd make pasta sauce with meatballs and have a small bag of ravioli one night, then a meatball sub the next. I'd make a small roast beef one night and have a hot, open-faced sandwich another.

If you do this kind of thing, you'll have enough food to make DH a plate for a lunch or dinner too.

 

[dis-happy]

Lean Cuisine.

 

[MIGrandma]

Take out and a good movie!

 

[SDFgirl]

I've been hooked on quesadillas for a few weeks now!

Get the large, burrito-sized tortilla, shredded cheese, and toppings.

Fold it in half and butter each side lightly.

Build your quesadilla. I put brown rice, black beans, cheese, and tomatillo sauce on mine. I sprinkle on cumin and minced onions too.

Cook just like a grilled cheese, flip with the underside is lightly browned. Let it cool for several minutes before cutting.

I eat mine with a piece of fruit usually, but you can also serve with refried beans, corn, chips and salsa - all easy to prepare for one!

 

[minkydog]

If you have some feta and spinach, make a Greek omelette:
chopped bell pepper
chopped tomato
1/4 cup frozen spinach, thawed
1/4 cup feta

Beat the eggs, pour them in the pan. Top with veggies and cheese, turn. Cook to desired doneness.

Here's what I had for supper: Chicken fajita-style
chicken tender strips, cut into bite-size pieces
bell pepper strips
1/4 onion, sliced
1/2 tomatoe, chopped
1 cup sliced mushrooms
a little salsa

Saute the chicken, add salsa and cook on low about 10 min. While the chicken is cooking, saute veggies until the pepper and onion are wilted. 1 cup of chicken + all the veggies=mmm,mmm good!

If you want you can put this on flour tortillas.

 

[mmackeymouse]

Well, seem how I love mine, I would invest in a panini maker.

As long as there is bread and lunch meat or leftover meat around, you can pile on the cheese, veggies, sauces, and you will have a yummy hearty sandwich.

That is definitely one of my go-to meals when I am alone.

 

[lovemygoofy]

Cook what you'd normally cook and send leftovers to work for your husband's lunch or dinner.

 

[Imzadi]

Take out and a good movie!

Yes, time to stock up on all those chick flicks you couldn't see with DH around, without him groaning over them.

Cook what you'd normally cook and send leftovers to work for your husband's lunch or dinner.

Or so he can munch when he gets home.

 

[LindaR]

I say this is a perfect opportunity to cook/try the things that maybe your husband does not like!

When my daughter left for college (I am single) I had a ball!!!!! I love fish/salmon and have it a few times a week. I also sometimes just cook a bunch of different (beets, yams, asparagus, etc) vegetables and eat those.

I always cook "for two" and have the leftovers!

 

[cdepauli]

Wow! These are all such great ideas! I can't wait to try some of them. My hubby's been so great about it too. He made me lunch today while he was home, so I probably should make sure I have something left for him too.

Keep them coming. I'm sure I'm not the only lonely one out there.

Take out and a good movie!

Yes, time to stock up on all those chick flicks you couldn't see with DH around, without him groaning over them.

This is too funny! He usually will watch whatever, and sometimes he'll watch lamer movies than even I can put up with, but I did just watch the first episode of the Vampire Diaries, which he would probably watch too, but we just don't have the extra time.

 

[amyy]

Chicken Marsala is easy for one. First I put some butter in a pan with garlic to brown the mushrooms. Set aside. Take your chicken breast, rinse it off and dip it in a flour and marjoram mixture. Put it in the frying pan with a bit of chicken broth and I usually add chicken bouillon too. Cook it on each side for about 5 minutes. I add more chicken broth, Marsala cooking wine and the mushrooms. If needed thicken with some corn starch.

I like to take a bit of ground turkey breast and cook in a frying pan. Add some pizza sauce, onions, mushrooms, garlic, green pepper etc. Mix it together and serve over a piece of corn bread.

Grilled cheese; english muffing with egg, cheese & bacon; protein shake in the blender; oatmeal-these are some of my favorites.

My DBF works probably half the week on night shifts. It does take some getting use to but there are a lot of things that are yummy as left overs.

 

[NMAmy]

DH is allergic to shellfish so I always make shrimp when he's not around for dinner.

I buy those frozen bags of shrimp so I can just take a handful out when I need them and run them under cold water to defrost a bit. Then I saute them with chopped garlic in a bit of olive oil. While I'm cooking the shrimp, I boil some whole wheat pasta. When everything's done, I add a small bit of butter or margerine to the pasta and then add the shrimp and garlic. Shred a bit of parmesan on top.

I made this a lot when I was divorced--it's one of dd's favorite meals ever. Okay, it's one of mine, too.

 

[clutter]

DH is allergic to shellfish so I always make shrimp when he's not around for dinner.

I buy those frozen bags of shrimp so I can just take a handful out when I need them and run them under cold water to defrost a bit. Then I saute them with chopped garlic in a bit of olive oil. While I'm cooking the shrimp, I boil some whole wheat pasta. When everything's done, I add a small bit of butter or margerine to the pasta and then add the shrimp and garlic. Shred a bit of parmesan on top.

I made this a lot when I was divorced--it's one of dd's favorite meals ever. Okay, it's one of mine, too.

Ok, add some spinach or broccoli to the shrimp and garlic and oil, and you've got my fave. My dd doesn't eat shrimp, so now that she eats real food (not fish sticks every day), I don't get this anymore.

Also, if you have a Wegman's, try a little of their Four Cheese Shred instead of plain parmesan. Yum.

 

[cdepauli]

Thanks so much for all the great suggestions. I can't wait until I'm motivated enough to try one of them!

On Monday night I ate one of those Chow Mein meals in the little red carton. Just add water and microwave!

Then on Wednesday, had my leftover salmon salad from lunch. Tonight I think I'll have a PB&J?

When my husband was home on Tuesday, though, we made apple cranberry stuffing with a pork chop!