Cooking for one

PasturesNew

If I don't eat, I am not hungry. As soon as I start to eat I seem to feel hungry.

I ate earlier ... that big dinner at ~noon. Tummy's starting to say "have you forgotten me?" and I really CBA to think of yet another thing to eat ... this is where bread is such a winner, it's toast every time, simple, easy and job done.

I've only got vacuum packed pittas though ... not a single crumpet or muffin or slice of bread in the freezer.... might knock up a microwave bread... I'll see how I feel about that. Bit faffy... and, actually, I need either eggs and/or milk and have neither.

I used to keep dried milk in the house - not bought any for about 6-7 years ... looked a few times but didn't see the packaging I was looking for. Maybe it's time to really hunt some down.

katkin

I've had periods of being single / just for one in my life and the thing that stands out for me is the higher cost of food. I like all sorts of food and experimenting, love cooking too, but being single definetley cost me more. At the time I was quite happy paying that though. There was no way I was going to do myself out of decent meals!

Ok, I better scoot off out of here before the crowd has a go!

PasturesNew

katkin wrote: »

I've had periods of being single / just for one in my life and the thing that stands out for me is the higher cost of food. I like all sorts of food and experimenting, love cooking too, but being single definetley cost me more. At the time I was quite happy paying that though. There was no way I was going to do myself out of decent meals!

Ok, I better scoot off out of here before the crowd has a go!

Yes, it's higher if you let it be ... or restrictive if you refuse to pay the prices presented. I refuse to pay. When I go in a shop and see signs like "£1 for one, 2 for £1.50" I walk away from the "deal" feeling cheated.

Pub windows with signs "2 eat for £5" I cross the road, annoyed.

And once I spent an entire Saturday evening, from about 7pm to about 11pm trying to get a "table for one" in indian restaurants in one town ... they were empty, at the start all completely empty, but they all said No until the last one - who was full and CREATED me a table

iammumtoone

For custard I make my own from powder and milk in the microwave just the amount I need. I don't like the instant stuff. I love the stuff in tins its my fav but it does mean eating it three nights on the go before its used up.

I am happily single with a whole Christmas pudding I think even if I had more to feed I would still keep a whole one to myself I like it cold to be eaten like cake and it keeps a while in the fridge. I was most disappointed when they stopped doing the valve ones I used to buy loads to last throughout the year.

melanzana

What a great and very interesting thread, thanks to the wonderful contributors!

There is no easy way to cater for one. Some like cooking and enjoy making a delicious meal for themselves. Others hate it and can't be bothered. Then again some just do it and cook something nice, even if they don't really want to.

Horses for courses.

I am on my own at the moment, but that won't be for long, HE will be back in a month's time. I cannot believe how difficult I have found it to actually be bothered cooking for myself. Astounded in fact, so am dealing with the guilt of being a lazy so and so aswell!

Anyway, even when there are two of us here (both retired), Three or so times a week we go to a local hotel that has a great lunch carvery. They have a special deal for retired where you get a slightly smaller plate than the usual and it's a fiver. So we use that a lot. Hard to beat a great lunch for two for a tenner. We now have met the same people doing the same thing, and have a chat over coffee after.

Now I could go there on my own, but I just don't feel comfortable doing that, silly or what? But at this stage I think I just might next week!

I am so sick of trying to think what to eat, sick of preparing it, and when I sit down to eat it, my appetite just disappears.

Been living on eggs, cheese toasties, soup, sandwiches, and quiche. Some fruit but not much veg really, can't be bothered.

I am not going to die of starvation, but honestly it's a flippin chore TBH.

When OH gets back he can cook for himself! But he's useless although he tries. However, it is so much nicer when I cook a proper meal and have someone to share it with. Makes the effort worthwhile. So I totally understand the experiences shared.

Apologies I know this thread is about singletons and food, in my defence I am with you all at the moment.

katkin

^
I never wanted to compromise with what I ate as a single and was fortunate enough to afford what I wanted but agree it's all cost a lot more than paying for a family or couple ( I was a single parent of 2 sons, now married again after a long spell on my own). It's noticeable.

Easier if you have good local shops you can buy what you need form butchers, green grocer, fishmonger etc but not everyone has those nearby. I did use my freezer sensibly and menu planned but it definetley cost more.

Rarely ate out on my own unless I was away for work, which I really enjoyed as I could indulge myself on a solo table with mags or a book and then charge it to expenses. Takeaways were always a pleasure as I could get at least a few meals from them.

But I refused at that time do do without, or not cooks lovely food. I'm a glutton it has to be done, single or not! I love my food.

Let's not mention the cost of living alone either...so expensive apart from the council tax discount.

Tiddlywinks

PasturesNew wrote: »

On my "must get one day" list is one of those shopping trolleys, so I can load up all the kit .... I've already got a little folding tent and some towels ... then there's a wind up radio and there'd be food and drinkies ... and rollies ... and an assortment of other clothes in case the wind changes.

We used to go to those open air proms events - mum loved 'em.

She'd be on her little fold up disabled buggy and we'd load her down like a pack horse and then we'd have the cool box and folding chairs strapped to a folding trolley with some bungee cords.

As I seem to have an Amazon link for all occasions... here's the cart we have... it's really light and just tucks away when it's not needed (strong too):

Trolley

karcher wrote: »

I've travelled in several poorer countries where all the bread is HM by hand, (no panasonics ) baked then kept in cloth towels.

It works and keeps the bread fresh which is important when they live a very hand to mouth existence.

I'd never thought of it until someone else suggested it on another thread.

I bought a large batch of catering grade traditional glass / tea towels and use them for all sorts of things.

I boil wash them with some napisan and detergent so they are good to use in direct contact with food.

PasturesNew

katkin wrote: »

apart from the council tax discount.

Couples get a bigger discount.

They get 50% off each

katkin

PasturesNew wrote: »

Couples get a bigger discount.

They get 50% off each

Where i'am it's a 25% discount if you are a single household. I lost that discount when my oldest turned 18 even though he was in full time education and not earning.

moneyistooshorttomention

Thinks, just as an intellectual exercise and what would my bills be if there was an Other Half in residence.

Saving on Council Tax = £352 pa
Saving on tv licence = £72.25 pa
Saving on fuel = £348 pa
Saving on insurance = £125 pa
Saving on phone/broadband = £250 pa approx

So - my personal extra expenses pa for being single = £1147.25 each year approx.

Then we come onto only having to pay half the costs involved of work on the house. Right - that would be a bill forthcoming for new kitchen of approx £6,000, instead of having to pay the whole bill of £12,000 to give the example of just one bit of work on the house. Including that kitchen - then I'd have £20,000 approx more in the bank than I actually have.

It's no wonder us singles feel worse off - we are and it's by quite a noticeable amount.