Portion Sizes !!!

Bogof_Babe

Hiya Lynz . I'm the same but I never throw anything away unless it is actually beyond redemption, and certainly never just because it is left over.

There's generally something you can do with even a small amount, for instance I often have left over mash mixed with cheese, heated in the microwave and served on toast for lunch, with a blob of tomato ketchup on top.

I think this is one of those questions where you would need to tell us what you have left and how much of it as it occurs, also what else you have that could be put with it to make a meal out of.

As regards H&B soya mince, I have tried and failed to make that taste of anything at all, so any tips on that front would be gratefully received, as I have the best part of two bags stuck in the cupboard.

apprentice_tycoon

For potatoes I always view the spud as if I'm cooking it for a jacket potato, you get an idea for the size if you picture it whole on the plate
For rice I use a small mug that's just the right size, perhaps you have something in the cupboard the you'll find is perfect and try to remember which it is! I use a larger mug for pasta.
Don't use soya mince I'm afraid

lynzpower

As regards H&B soya mince, I have tried and failed to make that taste of anything at all, so any tips on that front would be gratefully received, as I have the best part of two bags stuck in the cupboard.

Oh I cant live without it, I very seldom eat meat mince as I just dont like those rogue gristly bits.

With dried food I just dont know how to do it.

Currently I put the mince in a cereal bowl about a 1/3rd of the way up then top up with water, but of course it expands! Like rice & pasta. Pasta shells Im OK with literally I cant eat a lot of it ( handful cooked) but spagetti or noodles too, we get to the point of like what to do with this.

Ive blown up my microwave as well so reheaing stuff isnt really an option. ( but OH takes leftovers to work as he has a micro there)

I use theportion sizer on the tesco bags of rice, but its always far too much?

I did many moons ago use frozen rice ( ) but I wont be going back there again!

Bambam

The packets of dried foods such as pasta and rice generally say how much serves 1-2 people. If not you could try weighing out the ingredients next time you cook it. If there are leftovers, next time you cook weigh out a little less. Shouldn't take too long before you get it exactly right. I've been cooking for that long now, I never weigh or measure anything, I just judge by sight.

lil_me

You could always reheat on the hob or in the oven covered with foil, I do this a lot too.

I find with rice whatever fits in my hand before cooking is usually enough per person. Spaghetti about the thickness of my thumb each, other pastas about a handful again.

I have found a small childs cup which is also ideal for rice/pasta for 2.

lizzyb1812

For boiled or roast potatoes - I used to make far too many but eventually trained myself to make the right amount by cutting up the potatoes and putting them onto a dinner plate until they looked like a portion. I soon learned how many small, medium or big pieces made a portion and just prepared that many per person.

If in doubt try making less than you think will be required and serve bread on the side (serve bread and butter/spread separately)

lizzyb

Angelselondon

I use american cups for all portion sizes, it works very well.

with Soya mince I use 2 cups liquid to one cup mince.

I also put an vegetable stock cube in for flavour.

Gorgeous.

beemuzed

We have problems with portion sizes too - they're all too big - and then they get eaten! I'd like to be able to convince my OH that slightly smaller portions wouldn't lead to starvation!

jennywren1976

Hi,

I have been reading and lurking this part of the site for some time now absorbing as much as I can from all you lovely people, and I have been trying to reduce my food shop and basically get myself organised.

What I was wondering, if it is not too nosy, is the kind of portions everybody serves up? I know that some people have managed to cut their shopping bills right down but has that had a knockon effect on their portion sizes?
I think the portions that I serve to my family and I are quite generous and I cannot seem to cut costs without serving smaller portions.:o
What I am getting to I suppose is I have seen all the pics posted on OS of everyones lovely cooking and baking but would anyone be willing to post a pic of their tea/dinner on a typical night so I could see what I am comparing myself too? Feel free to tell me to get stuffed if that is too cheeky but I can't help my curiosity.:p
Finally just wanted to say thanks to all the people who post on this part of the forum as I think that you are all stars for all the info and tips you share.:T :T

champys

Jennywren - I think a lot of OSers have gradually reduced portion sizes because they found too much food was wasted. As for myself, I have wondered for a long tim how I could get my OH to shift some weight (he refuses to diet), but the trick of smaller portions seems to work here too: he is not complaining of not getting enough to eat, so I am not underfeeding him, and lo and behold, very slowly, a few pounds are coming off. As a guide, I use the portion advice on this site: http://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/perfect_portions
but even so for us 75g of rice or pasta each seems to be sufficient instead of the usual 100g each. And even then we don't always eat it all. I would be happy to send you pictures of our meals, but am without a digital camera at the moment. Basically I would say it is trial and error - cook a bit less and see what happens! If they start reaching for cheese & biscuits you have gone too far!