recipes for one

Sniggle · recipes for one

I really want to make an effort to eat better. But cooking for one is sooo expensive.

Does anyone know where I can find any good recipes for one? Or I don't mind cooking 2 portions and freezing the other half

Rainbow_Bright

BBC food is fab.

Cooking for one is a pain. As I've said before, when OH is away, I have a tendency to live on toast because I can't be bothered to cook even though I actually really like cooking normally.

I would definitely cook bigger portions though and freeze 1 or 2 portions. I've got a ready steady cook cookbook which is pretty good, too, quite easy and cheap, obviously. Also, I have a collection of 4 WI cookbooks which are good for things for me as well. I tend to use Nigella, Gordon and Jamie more when the OH is around or people are visiting.

trinity0097

I'd go for the making in bulk and freezing in one portion containers.

e.g. make up some pasta sauce, then that can become a variety of things, e.g. add tuna, add cheese, add ham etc....

or make up some spag bol sauce, or chilli etc,

Then all you need to do is heat up whilst you cook the rice/pasta.

Sniggle

Ooh - ready steady cook!

Now that brings back memories as I was on it many many years ago!!!!

Sniggle

Got carried away and forgot to say....

Thanks for the idea of looking at BBC food, I'll def do that.
I think freezing will have to be the way I do things but never sure on what can be frozen and how to defrost!!!!

Like you say rainbowm when I get home from work it just seems such an ag to put the oven on or prepare food for just me - so much easier to put something in the microwave.

Must, must try harder

jog_on

It's great to freeze stuff and get it out the night before and then it's ready just to reheat the next evening.

Depends what food you like to eat though, as not everything is that great for freezing. See the freezing food thread!

jog_on

Also, some recipes here:

http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipes/searchresults.aspx?tag=cooking+for+one

jog_on

Some here too:

http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/recipes/Dinner-for-one

trinity0097

When I take something out to defrost I take it out before school and leave on the draining board, is then fine in the evening to reheat in the microwave or on the hob. If I forget something like pasta sauce doesn't take long to defrost/heat up in the microwave (i.e. no longer than it takes to boil water and cook pasta)

JD1970

Have you tried Delia? She did a book about cooking for one.
When I was cooking for one, I usually did big batches of chilli, bolegnese, curry, etc. and froze several portions at a time. Then you just need to cook a small amount of pasta or rice to go with it.

Sniggle

I didn't know Delia did a recipe book for one. I will have to look out for that - thank you

I'm really going to make a concerted effort to cook 'real' food and freeze. I've found some lovely soup recipes so will try that first. I saw Tesco have their bread maker reduced too some perhaps some homemade bread to go with it?!

I must get going on this soon though, because I know that once term starts - the incentive will soon go!!!

JD1970

Don't buy a cheap breadmaker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Panasonic SD253 or nothing!

Sniggle

Oh bugger!!!! Well that's back on the xmas list then!!

JD1970

Good for you. Otherwise you'd just be disappointed.

tui

i cook enough food to last for several nights during term time. I love cooking but when i am tired I can't be bothered. i have a selection of meals in the freezer but usually i just keep leftovers in the fridge. i alternate taking them to school or having them for dinner depending what it is.
Risotto is good and different veges can be added for variety. I love soup as well especially in autumn and winter and a big pot can last quite a few days. Adding noodles of pasta can give variety as well.
i stirfry veges with beans or lentils and vary the seasoning- chili or curry. Cooking up a big pan of roasted veges (potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, mushrooms onions cauliflower) are a good basis for several meals. I like them cold as well with a bit of sweet chili sauce if I am in a non cooking mood.
give me an idea of the type of food you like and i will find some recipes. I am vegetarian though so not a lot of help with the meat dishes.

Sniggle

Thank you tui.

I don't mind vegetarian food but I don't like tomatoes or cheese.

I like all sorts of vegetables (except celery), pulses and meats.

The really thing .I'm fussy about is tomatoes and tomato based sauces.

I really want to be able to cook fresh foods rather than pop a packet of scampi in the oven or a ready meal in the microwave.

I'm off to buy storage containers for the freezer today

smallholder

I have a cheap breadmaker and I have been really pleased with it - just call me cheapskate!

tui

i have a cheap breadmaker as well and it has been producing excellent bread for at leadt 2 years.

For dinner last night i had a banana sandwich made with fresh homemade wholemeal bread (not from the breadmaker.i tried a no knead recipe and it worked very well.) I had leftover lentils in the refrigerator but even that was too much trouble.

Sniggle

Hmmm...could the cheaper breadmaker be an option again?

tui

Do you have a consumer mag you could look at to see how the various brands are rated?
i'm not sure what an expensive one does that makes it better than a cheap one apart from lasting longer maybe, so check the guarantee. Check the size of the bread tin. Mine is slightly rectangular. some are square and make a small tall loaf.

Rainbow_Bright

I used a cheap breadmaker before I bought my new one (panasonic SD255) and it was ok but difficult to do anything other than plain white bread in it. This new one is brilliant, and I really like the timer function on it so I can have fresh bread first thing in the morning. It's RRP is £117 but I got it from Amazon for £83.