Solo suppers

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Posted at 12:02PM, 27 May 2011 by Jessica Gunn - Features editor - olive magazine

Eating alone tonight? I am. For various tedious reasons (that mainly relate to being married to a lawyer), I've been eating on my own a lot of late. And, while I generally pride myself on being an averagely accomplished cook (easy when you have olive up your sleeve), I confess that when it comes to making dinner for one, I find it hard to think further than the possibilities offered to me by the toaster. Or, maybe the grill, if I'm feeling like making an effort.

So over the last week, I've had toast, cheese on toast, boiled egg and Marmite soldiers, and, um, toast with peanut butter... in the hope that peanut butter might count for the protein and vegetable content of my meal. Finally, after I ran out of bread, I really pushed the boat out and made pasta, to which I added pesto (from a jar of course), plus some slightly yellowing broccoli, because I realised I hadn't eaten a vegetable in days and it was all I had in the fridge. (NB: Just for your records, broccoli and pesto aren't a brilliant flavour combination).

if I don't make an effort soon, I will open my cupboards to find shelves stacked with pot noodles, packets of crisps and tins of tuna...

I fear if I don't make an effort soon, I will open my cupboards to find shelves stacked with pot noodles, packets of crisps and tins of tuna, and my transformation into a teenage boy will be complete - a situation I'd obviously like to avoid.

Therefore tonight I'm branching out, and perusing Good Food and olive for solo supper inspiration - including Asian crab rice bowl, Chicken breast with avocado salad, and super-fast yet satisfying, instant tom yum.

What about you other solo diners - is your freezer full of pre-cooked portions for one or do you whip up something lovely every night from scratch? Or like me do you once again reach for the peanut butter and a spoon?

Comments

Mel B, New York

27 May 2011, 7:22PM
Mel B, New York

I, too, eat alone a lot as my husband travels - a lot. My go-to has always been pasta + pesto or something vaguely quesadilla-ish with tuna, salsa cheese and flour tortillas, unless I've recently cooked a batch of bolognese or chilli. However, going back to my copy of Jo Pratt's "In the Mood for Food" has given me another option: her tomato rice soup is perfect for eating alone as you can use up all sorts of veggies, it makes tons and can be adapted any which way - and is very tasty and hearty too

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egentile

28 May 2011, 3:01PM
egentile

Like the previous poster, I am BIG on soups. Mainly because I can make a pot for dinner and then have it for lunch the next day as well. My husband works nights so it's usually me and my 2 year old daughter for dinner. She eats little toddler sized portions so I don't really have to consider her take when I'm planning a meal. I also find myself eating lots of bruschetta, frittatas, and all kinds of salads (especially during the summer). But really, anything I can make for one meal and save for the next is ideal (soups, risotto, rice salads, chicken salads, pasta salads-see what I mean? Lots of salad). Cooking for one is really a lot harder than it sounds.

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Nicola

31 May 2011, 8:40AM
Nicola

When my husband is away (which he is fairly regularly due to work) I try to make an effort to cook nice things for myself, but I get fed up sometimes if I make a batch of something as I'll then end up eating it for 3 days in a row! I also tend to eat less meat when he is not here and I often try to use things up with random combinations...my most recent was pasta with onion, lemon and blue cheese...not good!

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DaisyQ

7 June 2011, 3:36PM
DaisyQ

How about omelettes? My favourite is goat's cheese with rocket/spinach. Lovely with some cherry tomatoes on the side.

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trees0604

10 June 2011, 1:06PM
trees0604

I cook for one as I live alone, and thoroughly enjoy adapting recipes to suit me! I can add/remove/adapt ingredients as necessary, I can have a glass of wine as I am cooking and I am devoted to my slow cooker. I don't find it difficult at all! I would say be creative and appreciate the opportunity to eat what you want, when you want, and how you want. Treat it as a proper meal, set the table, open the wine, and treat yourself!

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Lushious

14 June 2011, 12:21PM
Lushious

Since my husband left, I have totally given up cooking for myself. I still cook for my young children, and I guess if I am making the effort for them, I should make an effort for myself, but partly because I don't seem to have much time anymore, I too have taken to dining on bread and peanut butter, or sardines on toast!!! I often only get to eat a 'proper' meal once or twice a week and that's at the weekend when I have more time. Hey ho

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Hilary

16 June 2011, 4:41PM
Hilary

I live alone so am used to cooking for one. I do a lot of batch cooking, for freezing, using my pressure cooker which I couldn't be without. Stir-fry suppers are my favourite quick meal and so easy to prepare and cook. Lots of recipes to choose from and easily adaptable if not all ingredients to hand.

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Ishamel

16 June 2011, 6:14PM
Ishamel

I agree with stir fry or soup. I've been a student for the last three years, so had to cook for one on a budget! but had no freezer, so i ended up adorning my cupboard-staples with bacon and cheese. When my brother was due to move out and get his own place for uni, (with freezer,) he asked me how to cook for one - and I told him it's simple! Cook for five, eat for one, freeze for four. If you do that every night for a week, you can eat like a lazy arse for a month from a little stash of yummy stews, soups, roast meats and gunks for toast.

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