Cooking for one

It saves time and money to batch cook. I will cook something today, have the meal, same again tomorrow evening and freeze the rest, like others, when I cannot be bothered cooking. This way there is very little waste.

You can eat exactly what you like and enjoy it!

I love cooking just for me- I can eat everything I like and I don’t have to please anyone else. I eat lots of soup, omelettes, pasta, fish and salads. It’s really easy to eat a healthy varied diet, and when you are catering for yourself you know there is going to be little waste. The only problem is buying small enough quantities, but most foods, apart from greens, can be frozen, so I will take one plaice fillet, say, and freeze the rest. Some supermarkets now sell small packets of potatoes and other vegetables too. I can’t agree with those, mostly women, who say “it’s not worth cooking for just me.” It jolly well is! I still make myself roast dinners- usually chicken- and it’s great peeling just enough potatoes and parsnips just for me rather than having to produce huge quantities for a household.

Good for batch cooking is:
Spaghetti Bolognese
Meatballs and Spaghetti
Curry
Chilli
Fish Pie
Shepherd's/Cottage Pie
Mashed Potato
Home made fishcakes

Invest in some good quality containers that seal well and you're all set. Enjoy

I am alone and batch cook, I love having a 'ready' home cooked meal in the freezer. Don't use old ice cream containers though unless you write on them - I was very disappointed recently!

M0nica is right about the batch cooking RatherBeActive - it takes same amount of time to cook 1-2 lbs of meat in a chilli or bolognaise then portioning for the freezer for whenever you’re busy or plain can’t be bothered.

There are many excellent 'Cooking For One' books in the library.
I'd recommend you get a few and make a little booklet of your own favourites.

You could share them with your daughter who will surely also need inspiration on cooking for herself at uni.

Even though you are on your own, batch cook. Make bolognaise sauce with 1 lb of mince and then freeze in four or five little containers to add to spaghetti on days when you feel to weak to cook. This can be done with so many dishes, Home made ready meals are so much cheaper and nicer than bought ones.

I can add mushrooms to my food yeah, I am looking forward to some mushroom pasta now! My children don't like them so I don't normally bother.

Pasta is a good choice. Cook it and you can add almost any leftovers to it.

If you haven't got leftovers, use tomato puree and a little butter. Add peas or mushrooms or egg. If you make too much, it can be stored in the fridge or frozen.

Lot of possibilities.

Hope your daughter enjoys University.