Feeding just one person is more difficult than it seems. Despite your best efforts, it's not that easy to find ready-made meals for singles at the supermarket. Don't give in to the temptation to order a takeaway or eat in a restaurant, if you're ready to eat better, it's time to get cooking.
Steps
Step 1. Find the right motivation
When you are single you tend not to even bother to cook because there is no one to watch what we are doing. However, cooking at home helps you save money and eat healthier foods than taking a takeaway. With a little commitment, you too can learn how to prepare different dishes that you like.
Step 2. Plan ahead
- Decide what to prepare for the next few days so as not to waste too much time at the supermarket.
- Make a shopping list and remember to take it with you. It is easier to plan healthy meals from home and check what you need exactly than to decide directly at the supermarket.
- Keep a list of recipes you have already tried and liked at hand.
- Use leftovers, but only for a meal or two. Even if leftovers represent a break from cooking, don't overdo it, or you might end up eating the same thing for a whole week. If you happen to cook large quantities of food, store the leftovers in the refrigerator or share them with a friend. Alternatively, try planning meals for the whole week in advance.
- Try new recipes from time to time.
Step 3. Cook only one main meal a day and choose simple dishes for others
For breakfast, try oats, eggs, fruit, yogurt, toast, or bagels. For lunch, or dinner (depending on which of the two meals is lighter), eat a sandwich, a soup, a salad, crackers and cheese, rice, vegetables and side dishes and so on. All of these foods are quick and easy to prepare.
Step 4. Keep your pantry stocked at all times and keep staples and foods that don't spoil at home
When you run out of something, write it down on your shopping list and buy it the next time you go to the supermarket.
Use the freezer to store food, but watch out for deadlines
Step 5. Buy smaller packs
This is easier for some foods than for others. Rice, flour, hazelnut cream and oats can be stored for a long time if kept in cool and dry places; canned foods, on the other hand, have a very long shelf life.
- Buy fresh fruits and vegetables. They are good for your health and are usually sold by weight or by piece, so you can buy them in small quantities. In addition, it is very easy to prepare a potato or a portion of vegetables in the microwave (the result is similar to steaming).
- Be creative. Are ready-made burgers more expensive than a pack of minced meat? Try cooking it yourself in a pan!
- Use pre-cooked or ready-to-eat or deli foods if they help you get inspired to cook. Buy pre-washed salads, frozen vegetables and use only the amount needed per meal. Choose pre-cleaned, ready-to-cook chicken pieces and use the microwave to defrost. Again, eat ready-made tortellini or ravioli and cook just the amount you want.
- Larger packs usually cost less than smaller ones. The difference in quantity between the two is often not proportional to the price. For example, half a liter of milk can cost up to € 1.50, while a liter costs € 2; in these cases it may be more convenient to buy the larger format and throw away any leftovers, or freeze them to avoid waste.
Step 6. Share your food with a friend, neighbor or family member
If you'd rather buy larger packs, it's a good idea to check if anyone in your circle of acquaintances is willing to trade other foods with you.
If you can find someone willing, try asking them to cook for you from time to time, or invite each other over for dinner
Step 7. Buy or make your own sweets or other foods
If you like to bake desserts, buy ready-made preparations, or mix together only the dry ingredients to which you add liquids and make muffins or pancakes in the quantities you want. Also try buying a recipe book for baking delicious homemade desserts.
- Make homemade granola and muesli mixes. If you want, freeze in portions.
- Make some spice mixes.
- Make soup preparations. Divide pasta, rice and beans and add some soup bases or dried vegetables.
- Store the preparations in airtight containers and remember to label them with recipe names and quantities to use.
- Homemade preparations can also be an original gift idea. Just put them in a jar with a nice decorative cap.
Step 8. Freeze the food by dividing it into portions
- Freeze uncooked foods in single portions. For example, if you buy a 2kg package of minced meat, divide it into half a kilo portions before freezing it.
- Freeze pre-cooked foods to use as ingredients for future recipes. For example, brown some meat with onion, garlic and spices; get rid of excess liquids, let it cool, then store it in containers or bags suitable for the freezer. Such a preparation can be very useful to add to a quick omelette, pasta, rice, etc.
- Freeze ingredients with sauces in freezer bags. For example, freeze chicken breast with pesto or other sauces; prepare several bags and when it's time to cook, defrost one portion at a time, leaving it in the fridge to marinate overnight.
- Freeze cooked dishes by dividing them into portions to avoid eating too many leftovers in the same meal and to have ready-made dinners for other evenings.
Step 9. Cook dishes with the same foundations
For example, roast chicken can be used as a base for preparing many other meals, such as chicken and vegetables, pan-fried chicken, or as a base for soup. The same goes for almost all types of meat; freeze leftovers or use them for other recipes.
Step 10. Have supplies on hand
Some days it may happen that you don't feel like cooking at all. In this case, simply reheat some leftovers in the microwave, or make something quick and easy, like an omelette.
Step 11. Indulge in whims
When the craving for sweet surprises you, try making a chocolate cake in a cup, or, homemade bread, muffins, etc. Depending on the food, you can also freeze the dough (for example, the cookie dough) or the ready-made dessert..
Step 12. Make your meals special
Even if you eat alone, take a seat at the table. Use real dishes, light a candle, play some background music and read a good book.
Step 13. Always wash dishes after meals
Entering a messy kitchen makes the desire to cook pass away. Always put the dishes in the dishwasher or sink and maybe wait until you have a large amount to wash, even if it is easier to clean pots and pans immediately after use.
Advice
- Invite friends over for dinner every now and then. You'll want to cook something special more and you won't have dinner alone.
- Use appliances to help you prepare food, such as a bread maker, pressure cooker, etc.
- Cooking at home saves a lot of money. Try to calculate how much you managed to put aside. Who knows, magai by the end of the year you will have the money you need for a nice holiday!
- Watch out for offers from supermarkets, which are always trying to get you to buy more.
- Label foods with the date and content before placing them in the freezer.
- Consider growing fruit and vegetables at home, if you have the space.
- Eating ready-made meals, or going to a restaurant is fine if done every now and then. Challenge yourself to cook your meals as much as possible, or, cook an extra amount to eat on other days.
