Dining by yourself shouldn’t generate anxiety as you try to cut the fat from recipes designed to feed a crowd. These single-serving dishes make eating for one a tasty and nutritious joy. No sharing required!
Let’s get real for a minute: there are instances when you’re likely to find yourself cooking only for yours truly. Perhaps there is just no one else to cook for, or you simply enjoy your own company and view mealtime as peaceful solitude. And it can be a relief to not have to customize your dish to anyone else’s pickiness. Love stinky cheese? Go ahead and pile it on.
But if you’re following a recipe, you may have noticed they’re often developed to serve four or more eaters. And figuring out how to correctly divide the ingredients to feed a much smaller crowd can use up valuable brain power.
Because we wholeheartedly believe there is absolutely nothing imperfect about dining solo, and it shouldn’t be a complicated undertaking, we pared down a handful of recipes to keep you, and only you, well fed from morning to night. Bon appetit seul!
Recipes
Blueberry Chia Granola Pudding
Chicken and Veggie Parcel
Marinated Beans on Toast
Salmon Beet Salad with Cherry Dressing
Upside-Down Apple Crisp
Just for me
Solitary eating need not feel like a lonely undertaking. Here are some delicious tips for going it alone.
Unplug
When eating alone, it’s tempting to tune into Netflix or scroll through your social media feed. But keeping gadgets off the table and giving the food in front of you your full attention will let you better enjoy its sensory experience. So just say no to raising your dine-alone armour.
Set the stage
Treat solo eating like you’re having royalty over for dinner. That means setting the table with your best linen and dinnerware, which can make “me time” seem that much more special. Candles or jazzy tunes can also help set the mood for fine dining.
Think ahead
Many parts of single-serving recipes can be made in larger quantities, giving you quick access to future dishes. For instance, in these recipes, items such as black rice, marinated beans, and blueberry chia pudding can be prepared in extra quantities for breezy solo meals down the road.
Matthew Kadey, MSc, RD, is a dietitian, nutrition writer, and recipe developer. He is also the author of Rocket Fuel (VeloPress, 2016) and Muffin Tin Chef (Ulysses Press, 2012).
Nancy Hillis
Michelle von Hahn
Alexa Everett
Laura Bolt