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Cooking for One
Moosifer
28-07-2011
Evening All,

I am really struggling with being bothered to cook for myself. I live alone- always have done, but recently I have been very low and I am finding it hard to see the point in making an effort to cook... for instance tonight I have had wotsits and Haagen Dasz- which is no good.

I love good food, and when I go to stay with my mum I always cook for her- its not like I can't cook..

I also struggle with portion sizes and recipes. It all seems very hard

What do other people who live alone do? ..
Elanor
28-07-2011
I live alone, but I make a point of at least once a week cooking something really nice (as opposed to quickie stuff with not much effort) for myself, just to enjoy the pleasure of cooking and of eating. Also, I always make lots, enough for generous seconds, some more to have cold tomorrow, and a couple of portions to freeze for another day when I want one of the quickie meals with not much effort.
jojo01
28-07-2011
I cook lots of things at weekends and then put it into tupperwares in single portions and then bung in the freezer.

Of course it depends what sort of food you like, but my regular things are chilli, thai green curry, fish mix (the mix for fish pie without the potato), minced beef, veggie curry and soups.

Other thinsg could be macaroni cheese, lasagne, chicken or beef stew etc.

Also, if I'm making a pasta sauce, I'll make enough for two meals - eat one on the night, and freeze the other half of the sauce.
degsyhufc
28-07-2011
When I cook pots of food (curries, ragu, stews etc) I cook for 3 or 4 portions. It's just easier to judge the cooking that way and either freeze portions, give them away, make them into something else or force myself to eat the rest (I also like variety and don't like having the same food day after day if I can help it).
badcompany3004
28-07-2011
I feel your pain Moosifer, I often have to cook for myself and find that times I just don't see the point in cooking just for myself.

I also have problem with portions and end up making too much for just me and have to eat it all. Although I know you can freeze food so that you can eat the second portion later. I struggle to know what I can freeze. I set up a thread but didn't help as I would like.

But freezing is a good solution as long as you know what you can and can't freeze (unlike me ) as you get to make nice meals but not have to stuff yourself.

And if you are feeling down because of being on your own, try eating out once in a while, I like to do this every so often it does help, if you are fed up on your own.
stud u like
28-07-2011
Delia Smith's "One Is Fun" is a good cook book to get. It is quite often in charity shops or sold cheaply on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Delia-Smith...1884498&sr=1-1
Cake_Nibbler
29-07-2011
When I was at uni and cooking for myself, I just made a full on meal everyday. Yes you need to make an effort but it's worth it, I love eating too much much not to eat a delicious meal every single day.

A meal that is merely average or one just to get you by is a wasted oppertunity for me.
pinot_noir
30-07-2011
Originally Posted by stud u like:
“Delia Smith's "One Is Fun" is a good cook book to get. It is quite often in charity shops or sold cheaply on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Delia-Smith...1884498&sr=1-1”

I hoped when Delia did new versions of some of her first cookbooks that she'd do an updated version of this one. I like the original, but it is a bit dated now.
IvanIV
30-07-2011
I cook daily, one or two portions to have it for lunch and dinner. It's often something quick like pasta, lasagne, risotto, fried chicken wings, etc. During a weekend it's a proper meal, lately I really like doing boiled beef for Sundays, it gets me a great soup, too. I like soups, but usually are not bothered to cook them

Only if I feel extra lazy, once twice a month or so, I just heat up some ready meal.
MrOstentatious
30-07-2011
http://allrecipes.com

In each recipe, there is a servings section, type in one and hit calculate, it will then calculate ingredients for one serving.
Pixie Queen
01-08-2011
I'm so used to cooking for lots of people and when it's just Himself and I , boy do I struggle.

I can do a meal for 12 off the cuff but I have problems when it's just the two of us.

Stupid simple things like how many spuds to peel?

I need a simple everyday cook book for 2
Rossall
01-08-2011
I also live alone and to either go for meals like Fish & Chips where I use Asda battered haddock and mushy peas and do my own chips in the deep fat fryer or do batches of curry/chilli/spag bol frozen in individual portions in freezer bags.

I use Asda frozen Chicken Breast for roast dinners with frozen mixed veg (the individual microwaveable steamer bags are good), Paxo, Bisto and roast potatoes, par boiled and then done in veg oil in the oven.

The basic things I always have in are Basmati rice, Maris Piper Potatoes, Spaghetti, Vegetable Oil, Bisto Gravy granules, Paxo, Bread, Milk, Clover spread.
Sad_BB_Addict
01-08-2011
Make a batch of basic savoury mince (beef, pork, turkey or Quorn). Have some with potatoes.
Next day reheat it with a sauce stirrred in and have it with pasta.
Next day reheat with something else and have it with rice.
Or use it to stuff peppers & bake.
Or reheat it and serve poured over a baked potato.
Or in a taco with salad and grated cheese.
Or simmer until the liquid has gone; form into rissoles/burgers and fry.
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