Cooking for one can sometimes feel like a chore. Recipes are often designed for families, leading to a mountain of leftovers, and it can be hard to find the motivation to cook a full meal just for yourself. However, with a few shifts in strategy and mindset, cooking for one can become a delightful and empowering act of self-care.
Embrace the Freedom
First, let’s celebrate the biggest advantage of cooking for one: you get to eat exactly what you want, whenever you want. There’s no one else to please. Craving breakfast for dinner? Go for it. Want to experiment with a spicy new dish? No one will complain. This is your chance to cater entirely to your tastes and curiosities.
Master the Art of Small-Scale Shopping
One of the biggest challenges is avoiding food waste. The grocery store can be a minefield of family-sized packaging.
- Befriend the salad bar and bulk bins: These are your best friends. You can get a small handful of mushrooms, a single chicken breast, or just enough rice for one meal.
- Utilize the freezer: Buy a standard pack of meat or a loaf of bread, then portion it out and freeze it immediately. You can also freeze leftover sauces, soups, and even chopped herbs in ice cube trays for later use.
- Choose versatile ingredients: Buy ingredients that can be used in multiple ways throughout the week. For example, a rotisserie chicken can be used for dinner one night, in a salad for lunch, and as a soup later in the week.
The “Cook Once, Eat Twice” Strategy
You don’t have to cook a brand-new meal every single night. The key is to cook components that can be repurposed for other uses.
- Batch cook grains: Prepare a large batch of quinoa or brown rice at the beginning of the week.
- Roast a big pan of vegetables: Use them as a side dish one night, then add them to an omelet or a grain bowl the next day.
- Cook a versatile protein: Grill several chicken breasts or bake a fillet of salmon. You can eat one for dinner and save the rest for salads or tacos.
Invest in the Right Equipment
You don’t need a lot of fancy gadgets, but a few key items can make cooking for one much easier. A small food processor, a personal-sized blender, and a good-quality small saucepan or skillet are great investments. Having smaller-sized baking dishes and storage containers also helps with portion control.
Make it a Ritual, Not a Chore.
Turn cooking into a pleasant ritual. Put on your favorite podcast or playlist. Pour yourself a glass of wine. Set a nice place setting, even if it’s just for you. Sit down at the table, away from screens, and savor the meal you took the time to prepare for yourself. It’s a powerful way to show yourself that you are worth the effort.
