Cooking Small

 Today I am going to try and speak a bit of cooking for one or two people when you have been used to cooking more.  I know there has been some interest on this subject (Elise!).  I have even done some posts on a FB group that asked for advice on the subject.

The thing is I have no real 'recipes' for cooking for one - it is just a matter of using what you have and either cooking a little less or cooking and stocking the freezer with meals for the future.

I try to cook less - it doesn't always work.  Eventually you get better at it - but it takes time.  I try to use things in new and different ways.  There are times I still make that big meal (I have no idea how to make a little pot of soup or chili) and then I have future meals.

It is just using your imagination and getting creative.

Today I will give a few tips on ways to stretch and use less.  I will add to this over the coming weeks.

First thing to remember is that not everything has to be homemade!  It tastes better when it is - but you can go semi-homemade and still have lots of flavor.  You can use canned goods, frozen goods and mixes and whatever may help.

Keep a pantry with BASICS!  Baking basics, fruits and veggies and a variety of meat if possible in the freezer.  IF you can grow at least greens and salad items, that is huge.

A POUND of sausage

This can be used in a variety of ways.  You can make simple items like egg roll bowls, sausage gravy, fried sausage patties - to have with breakfast or with sandwiches.  You fry it up loosely to use in spaghetti or on pizza.  So many uses.

You can mix with ground beef or ground chicken and make meatloaf.  Add to stir fry.

A pound of sausage can make many meals for one!!!

A POUND of ground meat

NO limits to the uses.  Hamburgers, sloppy Joes's, spaghetti, pizza, mixed with veggies or pasta, in soups and stews and chili, fancied up to be like a stroganoff, meatloaf...........

Heck you don't have to make a big meatloaf.  I often mix up ground beef with onion, peppers, egg, extenders and other seasoning and make patties and fry meatloaf burgers!  These are wonderful.  You make ahead and freeze.  You can also mix up the meatloaf and make 'muffin' size meatloaf in muffin tins.  There is a way to have those wonderful foods and not be overwhelmed on eating it for days!!!!

How many meals from a pound of ground meat - let me count the ways!!!!!!!

PASTA

Oh the many uses - you can make all kinds of meals.  IF you can't have regular pasta there are many other versions available - like veggie or lentil pasta.

Use in soups, pan meals of all sorts, mac n cheese, salads - pasta can extend any meal.  It is filling and it is inexpensive.

I love pan meals - a little meat, sauce, pasta, maybe some veggies - you have a meal!!!!  You don't have to make a lot.  A handful of pasta, added to 1/4 lb. of meat (or leftovers), a few leftovers and boom you have a meal.

Pasta salads can be anything.  Add veggies, maybe meat leftovers, a can of tuna, cheese, egg, whatever you have.  It is a great way to make an inexpensive meal.  YES, you can have a one dish meal.  You have a grain, veggies, maybe a protein, or even a dairy.  Use whatever you have as a dressing.  It can be mayo, ranch dressing, Italian, Catalina - whatever.

A small bowl of pasta salad can be added to meals as a side or as a meal alone - for a few days.

STALE BREAD

Now most people think - yuck - stale bread!  Not me.  (stale not moldy).  There are a ton of options to extend your meals and pantry and use it all up.

Make individual pizzas. Top with what you have ((I use less sauce so as not to get soggy) and bake.  French toast.  Dressing.  Croutons.  Bread pudding.  Toast for sandwiches. Extender for meatloaf.  Gind into breadcrumbs to use in all kinds of things and to coat items before frying.

You are using what you have and nothing goes to waste.

RICE

1/4 cup of rice makes a half cup of cooked rice.  Sure doesn't take much to add to a meal.  That allows a pound of rice to go a very long way.  Rice is a great extender to anything.  Add to soup or casseroles.  With veggies, or cheese.  It can be a breakfast food - top with butter and sugar or some swarm fruit.

The uses are unlimited.

Think outside the box.  You do NOT have to have meat at every meal - nor do you have to have many different things.  More times than not - my meal consists of a bowl or plate of something.  That's it!!!  As long as you are full and satisfied that is what matters.  You can use cheaper ingredients in new ways and make some fun foods.

Here is a simple food.  remember if you don't have buttermilk you can make a version to use.  Fried cornbread and an egg - breakfast, fried cornbread and a cup of beans - lunch, fried cornbread and some beans and a little meat - supper.  I could do any of those as a meal.  It is simple and cheap.

Same with potato cakes - using leftover mashed potatoes.

Cheaper ingredients can be used in so many ways.  Leftovers can be made into new things.  Eat what you like and what you have.  Learn that you sometimes have to change old ways and cut recipes in half or even less.  It takes time to get the hang of it - but it is possible.

It doesn't need to take a ton of money to eat well and have a full belly.  IF things get really bad - a full belly is what we will all strive for!

There are many that survive of the basic items that they get from food pantries - it just takes being a little creative with those things.

I will add more ideas as the weeks go by.  

NEXT TIME - cheap meals with potatoes, carrots, cabbage and canned meats

Keep it simple - Eat well and for cheap!

Feeding ONE doesn't need to cost a lot!!!!!!!