If you live alone, do you still do basic cooking

As for coffee, I switched to a generic k-cup machine. I'm sure I'll have to give that up when I retire. *tears up*
 

Don't have meal delivery or Trader Joe's here. I miss not cooking for a man. So now I cook a soup or chicken enchiladas, a beef roast; something I can use for meals for a week. I make and eat a lot of tacos and Mexican food cause it's my favorite!
 
I used to cook a lot but since I'm a bit disabled, cooking has become a bit less than a fun experience. So mostly i rely on my air fryer for stuff like meats and veggies, Instant potatos for starches, Microwave for canned soups and chili. pan frying for eggs. Simple stuff mostly. Breakfast like bacon and eggs. lunches like chicken salad (my own recipe) sandwiches and potato salad. dinners like fish steaks, air fried veggies and maybe a snack or two during the day. Stuff i can cook without being on my feet more than 5 mins at a time.
 
Now that I'm alone I can eat the foods which I prefer, rather than what the family want. This makes the whole business of cooking more of a pleasure and less of a chore. I enjoy trying new things and if it doesn't turn out very well, I don't have to listen to anyone's complaints.
I still use convenience foods as well as from basic cooking for one isn't always worth all the bother.
 
or rely on convenience or partially prepared grocery items? I prefer simple basic cooking (chop or oven roast, veggie, salad, etc.) but I keep a few few partially prepared entrees in freezer for days when not up to cooking. Trader Joe has especially tasty items that only need a little oven time.
I've never learned any way to create meals just for one. Most recipes make too much of something,
leaving you stuck with something you can't finish before it spoils, or rotating leftovers and getting bored.
I have to cook at home because I can in no way afford to eat out.
I enjoy cooking, but I'm really tired of eating alone.
I live in Washington DC, where a lot of people are busy and live alone.
I suggested a dinner group based upon the concept that many home cooks
would like to experiment with a dish....but ingredients are expensive, so we don't take risks.
My plan was everyone bring a dish and we do pot luck of all our experimental foods.
Many people responded, but it was literally impossible to coordinate a venue and a date.
 
I will be 62 in the summer. I am widowed so I live alone and I cook most nights. I have never had a microwave. I like the prep, and I use mostly cast irons pans. Love chopping veggies. I do like to eat so good thing I can cook!!
I know what you mean. I have a wonderful medium weight cast iron wok. Can be much nicer than normal pans.
 
I used to cook a lot but since I'm a bit disabled, cooking has become a bit less than a fun experience. So mostly i rely on my air fryer for stuff like meats and veggies, Instant potatos for starches, Microwave for canned soups and chili. pan frying for eggs. Simple stuff mostly. Breakfast like bacon and eggs. lunches like chicken salad (my own recipe) sandwiches and potato salad. dinners like fish steaks, air fried veggies and maybe a snack or two during the day. Stuff i can cook without being on my feet more than 5 mins at a time.
I wonder if there is any way to team up with someone? Find someone who can cook for you once a week, or once a month, and
you do something for them that you have time for and abilty for.
 
Hello ...Ive not been on the firum for some time and here I am. I still struggle with buying prepping and cooking for mysekf and at home is so hard still even after 5 years. I thoight i wouldovercome it but not so far. Its Sindays thats the oroblem say for me. Ilike to eat oit on Sundays but due to the Coronavirus raging hwte all eateries pubs etcare closed indefinately 😕
 
@CrackerJack It's very good to see you. Some things are terribly difficult to adapt to, even over time, and I agree that many adjustments are even more challenging, now with all of the additional concerns and restrictions, presently.
Hi Kaila. I used to think there was something wrong with me just after my Husband died in 2015 and it was a personal phobia. Then I found that it is a common problem with folk who grieve after losing a loved one. So in a way this made me feel less isolated.

Mothers Day yesterday was spent on my own as the Coronavirus is in full swing in the UK and I didnt get to see my family who dont live far away. I am in Self Isolation the name given to combat socialising in general for those who are over 70 and have underlying health issues which I have and Diabetic2 on meds. So its a very difficilt time for those who live alone and have to shop prep and cook meals for themselves.

Thank you for your post 🙂
 
I'll turn 66 next month and love to cook. I tend to dabble in hobbies, jumping in the deep end and them moving off to something else. Cooking is the one thing I've done long-term (my whole life, actually.) Still use the cast iron pan set I purchased new at Zayre (defunct store) back in '76 for $20.

A fresh seafood place opened up not too far from me a while ago and I've been hitting it hard. It's kinda of a weird thing to see here in my rural county, but I'm happy it's there. Not long ago I made baked rock fish with a crab meat stuffing. OMG!!!

I still cook big, multi-course meals, and make extensive use of my Vacuum Sealer. Also make herbed butters, ghee, stuff like that.

I need to drop maybe 20# but my enjoyment of cooking gets in the way of dieting. Oh, well.
 
I've never learned any way to create meals just for one. Most recipes make too much of something,
leaving you stuck with something you can't finish before it spoils, or rotating leftovers and getting bored.
I have to cook at home because I can in no way afford to eat out.
I enjoy cooking, but I'm really tired of eating alone.
I live in Washington DC, where a lot of people are busy and live alone.
I suggested a dinner group based upon the concept that many home cooks
would like to experiment with a dish....but ingredients are expensive, so we don't take risks.
My plan was everyone bring a dish and we do pot luck of all our experimental foods.
Many people responded, but it was literally impossible to coordinate a venue and a date.
I'm in the same boat cooking for one and finding recipes that work.

Try this website and look up cooking for one.
Many inspiring recipes.
I don't like leftovers.

https://www.pbs.org/food/theme/cooking-for-one/
 
I like to prepare my own foods. Don't go to restaurants unless vacationing somewhere. Don't use recipes. Just basic plant based meals for dinner using a steamer. Works for me since I can control what type of fat I eat and how much sugar/salt.
 
I do basic microwaving. I just can't get all excited about from scratch cooking. Yes, it may taste different that what I nuke. But my food is palatable. I watched one oF those cooking show. A "chef" used 3 bowls, and 11 ingredients to make scrambled eggs I'm not counting the frying pan and the whisk, and of course, a special egg turning spatula. Sorry, that can't compare with just pressing the "3" on the microwave, and waiting for the ding.
 
I’m alone and I cook like crazy! I love it! It’s so relaxing. I particularly like Jamie Oliver’s recipes on his Keep Cooking and Carry On site - really easy recipes that you can cook up in big batches and freeze. I’m a flexitarian which means I eat about 85%vegetable matter and the rest is lean meat or fish. I don’t really do much baking as in cakes, biscuits etc because I would eat them, haha, then be the size of a house.
 
I was never the world's greatest cook, and now, with this God-awful heatwave, I've pretty much given up cooking. My grocery delivery yesterday consisted of things like rotisserie chicken and prepared entrees and sides from my local market. I got plenty of yogurt, prepared deli salads, everything that's microwave friendly.

I'm old, I'm tired, it's hot...and if I can't pamper myself a bit now, then when...?
 


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