Cooking For One Week Wrap-Up | Recipe & Top Tips Summary
Our Cooking for One series has wrapped up and it was a huge success, thanks to the seven other fabulously creative contributing bloggers. In case you missed some of the series, you will find a photo-recap and cooking-for-one tips shared throughout the week below. The highlights below only capture some of the incredible insights shared in each post, so head over to the respective blogs for the recipe in full and more insights on cooking for one.
"Adjust expectations: Solo meals don't need to be elaborate to nourish. But they should still be approached with the intention to satisfy."
"Are we only worth a greasy takeaway? A box pinged in the microwave? Of course not…..Cooking for one can be a gift to yourself: a time to replenish and nourish in a way most appropriate to you. I think it was Nigella Lawson who dubbed eating for one Templefood: the idea of looking after oneself, and one’s self alone, with food that is easy, nourishing and – this being Nigella’s idea – slightly decadent."
"Re-purpose leftovers. I think that it is so important for people to understand that they don’t necessarily have to eat the same thing five days in a row if they have leftovers. For example, if you make a protein and a roasted or steamed vegetable one night for dinner you can easily turn that same meal into a delicious stir-fry, taco, or burrito the next night."
"I cook a big batch of soup, stew or curry to have for meals throughout the week, or freeze to save for another day."
"I love having things prepped ahead of time so it is simply a matter of me either arranging (as I would with say a salad), or heating as I would with these Root Vegetable Calzones."
"Think sauces….To keep it interesting it’s all in the sauce – I’ll put together an easy miso sauce, or tahini drizzle, a yoghurt dip or a satay sauce. A very easy way to jazz up a simple dish. And enjoy it! If you set the table, pour a glass of wine, and put on a little music, chances are you’ll also make more effort with the food itself.
"Make a super hearty sandwich – one that you can lazily throw together. Everything gets cooked in one pan so the mess stays minimal but the flavor is maximal!"
"I see it as an opportunity to eat exactly what I want. And just because you might be cooking for yourself, does not mean you don’t deserve to nourish your body with tasty, whole foods you enjoy! YOU ARE WORTH IT!"
What I love most about these recipes, and tips especially, is that they certainly serve us well when dining solo but they are also equally valuable in our everyday cooking, whether that is for one or more.
Now over to you. What is your favorite tip? And how can you apply it to your solo dinner and/or your everyday cooking this week?