Somehow today I found my mind wandering toward what I’m going to do for meals when I’m in my own place, which will hopefully be very soon. (There’s no news yet on when the closing might be.)
A few weeks ago I was browsing through cookbooks (a weird occasional habit, since I’m really not much of a cook) and got to thinking about how most recipes seem to be for four servings. I like leftovers as much as the next person, but I’d really rather just cook for me rather than the family I don’t have. So I turned to Amazon to see what I could find for cookbooks for one.
There were quite a few books that sounded good, and I put a few on my Wish List, but there was one that intrigued me enough to order it, Going Solo in the Kitchen by Jane Doerfer. I’ve been browsing through it here and there since it arrived, and not only does it seem to have a good number of uncomplicated recipes (remember how I’m not much of a cook?) that sound really good, but the author gives quite a bit of advice on things like food storage and how to buy just enough food for yourself. One thing I’m looking forward to trying is one of the various recipes that are supposed to have leftovers that you can repurpose into making a second different meal. I think it’ll make for a nicer variety than just plain leftovers.
I also got to thinking about all the groceries I’m going to need to set up a kitchen again. I have a few things (beer bread, anyone?), and I don’t need to stock everything right away, but a few basics, like flour and sugar, are probably in order. Which reminds me, I never have found canisters for those.
thisisbeth
Ohhh…that cookbook does sound excellent! I’ve been living alone for years, and it’s SO HARD to cook for yourself. My biggest problem is that recipes will call for “1/4 cup onion”. An onion is more than a 1/4 cup, so what do I do with the leftover onion, rather than wasting it? Does the book take that into account (or don’t you knwo yet)?
Kristie
Beth — I flipped through the book earlier this evening, and no examples of that sort of thing leaped out at me, but I also didn’t notice recipes that would have that sort of leftover ingredients. She seems to try to avoid it, but I wouldn’t swear it’s always the case.
I’m so looking forward to doing more cooking. I came across a recipe in there today for pot roast, which I love, but my dad really doesn’t. Can you guess what I’m making ASAP? And this is one that is for two servings, because pot roast makes for tasty leftovers. There’s at least one other I’ve noticed that is like that because it’s more work than you’d want for just one meal, but most are for one serving.