One of the hardest things for her is learning how to cook for one. Actually, many of my friends have had the same difficulty. There is less motivation to cook a proper meal, it's difficult to buy suitable small quantities, a meal is no longer an occasion to be shared with someone special.
So, yesterday we shared Sunday lunch and she said it was the best meal she'd had in ages and we talked about how to improve her own food routines. She noticed I have a meal plan on the fridge door. I explained that I have to plan how to use things which are not available in small enough packs. Sometimes they can be frozen but sometimes I need to plan when to eat them.
She rather enjoyed the ratatouille which I served, so I talked to her about bulk cooking and freezing. I mentioned the range of soups lurking in my freezer
She loves cauli cheese so I showed her the bag of frozen cauli coated in cheese sauce from which I had taken a small quantity, plonked it in a dish, covered with grated cheddar and bunged in the oven with the pork. No way would I prep cauli cheese for one, but this way I can cook just as much as I need.
She was impressed by the home cooked parsnips so I mentioned bulk preparation so they can just tossed in oil and cooked in the oven or air fryer but they can also be bought ready prepped. I mentioned the huge variety of commercially frozen vegetables which could improve her diet.
And I suggested she use a proper butcher so she can get just as much meat as she needs rather than rely on the supermarket.
We talked everything through over some fresh fruit salad which she agreed is much more interesting than a banana or yoghurt, and proper coffee for which I showed her a small cafetiere although I used a big one. And she has decided she will invite me to go for a meal.
Cooking for one has always been the usual thing for me. What other tips and wrinkled would you add to my list?
I think you have all the angles covered to avoid waste and eat well.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteHow thoughtful of you. When my MIL died, my FIL worked his way through Delias "one is fun" cookbook
ReplyDeleteCooking for one is challenging enough particularly on a small income, but eating alone is even worse. Appetite and enthusiasm can shrink. You very kindly cooked for your friend which was a bonus for both of you I suspect.
ReplyDeleteMaybe regular shared meals amongst other friends in the same boat would be beneficial or even taking the big step to join a lunch club for both friendship and a catered lunch.
Your friend has a lot to deal with at the moment so is probably feeling quite overwhelmed. You have have offered lots of tried and tested tips for her which is brilliant. Incidentally many care home will also offer meals for relatives as part of the visiting experience.
I'm sorry your cousin is going through some tough times now with her husband's health condition and having to adjust to living on her own. You gave her some wonderful pointers about cooking for one.
ReplyDeleteYou always think of the emotional side when someone has been left alone after years of being a couple but there's the practical side of things too. I'm sorry to hear your cousin is going through this. I think you've touched on most things here but I'd also mention bread, one person can never get through a loaf before it goes off but it's so easy to freeze and you can just take out what you need.
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