Suggestions for Cooking for One???

[Sweety_tweety]

I will soon be divorced from DH. We have no kids, so I will be cooking for myself for the most part. It has been such a long time since I have cooked for myself, I am trying to get in that mode of thinking. I know it is only one person less, but DH was a big eater.

If I have friends or family over, I always try to use the leftovers during the week.

Any recipe suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[bgurl]

I will soon be divorced from DH. We have no kids, so I will be cooking for myself for the most part. It has been such a long time since I have cooked for myself, I am trying to get in that mode of thinking. I know it is only one person less, but DH was a big eater.

If I have friends or family over, I always try to use the leftovers during the week.

Any recipe suggestions would be appreciated.

Steak

 

[MSSANDRA]

I would invest in some good freezing containers and cook as you have been and freeze individual servings take out and pop in the microwave.

 

[Marionnette]

I would invest in some good freezing containers and cook as you have been and freeze individual servings take out and pop in the microwave.

^ This.

Plus I would invest in a Foodsaver. You can buy in bulk then individually freeze chops, boneless chicken breasts, steaks, etc. I add a marinade or rub before freezing. Then I just pull out however many servings I need for dinner and thaw.

Hugs to you about the divorce. It's never an easy process.

 

[Leshaface]

Sorry about your situation OP

Here's a book on cooking for one

http://www.amazon.com/Pleasures-Coo...=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1293759897&sr=1-7


Just like others have stated, freezing is your friend!

 

[prncess674]

Cooking for one isn't that hard. As others have said, freezing is your friend. I bought the big 3lb pack of boneless skinless chicken breasts last week and took them home and froze them in individual sandwich baggies. I can then take out however many I need. When I make spaghetti meat sauce I make a large pot and then free in small containers. I make noodles on the spot.

You may end up wasting some food if you made too big of portion but it is still less expensive to throw out some food than it is to buy take out or order food in. Also realize that most take out is super high in fat, carbs and sodium.

Learn to make round two dinners. If one night you have baked chicken then cook an extra breast and chop it up and have a chicken ceasar salad the next day

My other saving grace is frozen veggies. I use the ziploc zip and steam bags. I can pull out of the frozen bag just what I need.

Your ex-DH apparently had a big appetite. If you aren't a big evening eater learn the joys of simple "moonlight breakfast" which translates to simple breakfast foods for dinner. I can be happy eating a bowl of cereal for dinner sometimes.

 

[Bren's Mom]

When I know dh is going to be gone many evenings in any given week I prep in advance. Sometimes it's hard to want to 'bother' for just me. I will grill several extra chicken breasts, for example. That night have with salad and a potato. But I prep the lettuce and put in a baggie with a damp paper towel. Precut cucumbers and other veggies extra and baggie those as well. I will make an extra baked potato, mash it quick with some cheese then throw in the fridge for a twice baked a different day (just warm in the toaster oven with some cheese on it) or I'll make two extra potatoes and I can cut the 3rd one up and fry it for hash browns on a different day. The leftover chicken can be for a chicken caesar salad, chicken fajitas with yellow rice, chicken over cous cous (a GREAT and quick thing to make for one!) with some chopped tomato and some melted cheese.

Sorry about your divorce!

 

[scootch]

When I was cooking for just myself, i found most times it was cheaper to eat out. I found this fancy, expensive Italian restaurant that had lunches for $5 before 4pm, so I would go at 330-345pm and order a salad with fancy greens, cheese ravioli, fresh baked bread and drink water for $5. I didn't mind eating alone, sometimes I just sat and thought, other times I might take my planner or something with me to pass time.

 

[SassyLassy]

first off, i am so sorry to hear about your divorce and second, ditto freezing. I love Chili and American Chop Suey (or goulash-depending on where you live) both are good and healthy and freeze easy.

Best of luck to you in 2011!

 

[Sweety_tweety]

Thanks for all of the great ideas and support.