Cooking for one (Mark Two)

MrAPJI

Money, thanks for the info about the bananas - sounds a great idea.

Kittie, the easiest thing in the world would be to stay in and shut the world out, but I know I have to make a new life, and that requires me to make an effort in changing the way things are. I feel I'm at the start of a very long journey, but at least I'm past the start mark now

Well, I had a big surprise as the chap who established the widowers' group is only 40. He lost his wife 18 mths ago and has 2 young boys (5 & 7). A really nice person and so very kind. We met at the place where the meetings are held and the food there is really good. We both enjoyed a bacon and brie panini which was garnished with salad and served with chips. This was then followed by lemon shortbread cheesecake - a bit of an indulgence - but who cares . Not sure that I will have too much later on - perhaps some fruit would be a good idea

[Deleted User]

yes mrAP the first tentative steps are so hard but oh dear what a young age and coping with two young children. It isn`t just company and chatting but also skill sharing. I go to a crafting group, mostly men and mostly older and time served and by golly they are so generous with their skill sharing, teaching me so much about working with wood. So many people have a great attitude, to get on with it, life

Ok mansfield park was nice then knitting, now pride and prejudice, the zindafel wine and some florentines. Later the soup and although I have over indulged, also eaten cadburys fingers I do know that I will have had > my 8 veg today and all will be back to normal next week

moneyistooshorttomention

Glad you've dipped your toe in the water Apji - it sounds positive to me and a good start. Looks like you've made a new friend before you even "officially" join the group.

I guess I dropped the idea that being widowed was something that only happened to older people when I must have been in my 40's at the time and a same age friend lost her husband in a car crash. I did sympathise and was pleased for her when I saw she was managing to make a New Life for herself pretty successfully. (Hope that comes over the right way and I've not mis-phrased it...).

wort

Mr AP - I'm glad that you enjoyed the company of the group founder, hopefully the rest of the group will be just as nice. I'm lucky in having a big family, I've rarely been left alone these last 6 months.
Nye will be at my nieces house this year, we always have a family party with everyone taking their own drink. It started years ago at my parents house as it meant no one needed babysitters, as the children could sleep if necessary. I'm going to try not to drink too much so I don't get emotional.
Tea tonight was hot smoked salmon fillet with oven chips a few sprouts a carrot and broccoli. I used the last of the tartar sauce too, so will pop on shop list. Caronc, you reminded me I've not had a mince pie for a week or do and there was some open , so I had one warm with cream on, with my cuppa.
I've took down a few decorations and cards today, before work and will do some more tomorrow, might leave the tree though.

Farway

The summat on toast for lunch ended up as cheeses & piccalilli

Mid afternoon snacked on apple & cheese, which left me a bit too full, and CBA for a proper dinner, so I just Actifried my already prepped chips with a fried egg

Followed by another dig in the trifle, with blob of Greek yoghurt on top

Then last of the posh mince pies

Not gaining any nutrition points today

MrAPJI

Farway wrote: »

Not gaining any nutrition points today

Tomorrow is another day

Kittie, I'm glad you've found a group to which you feel that you 'belong', and acquiring new skills is always a good thing. I see you're really keen on crafting - my wife enjoyed cross stitch and quilting - both of which are a mystery to me

Money, when I spoke to the chap on the phone, he seemed older than 40, and hence my surprise. Yes, bereavement strikes people at different ages - that's for sure.

Wort, having a large and loving family to supoort you is wonderful - it must have helped a great deal. My own situation is different - just a brother and although he's been extremely supportive, he has problems of his own. My wife was Canadian and although she's from a large family, they are scattered around the world. I do have a number of friends who have been supportive, but understandably they have their own lives to lead. Enjoy your family gathering and don't drink too much

I'm now off to enjoy the last piece of xmas cake and watch a film.

Irenadler

Hello all, may I join in?

Just recently changed to cooking for one, but, still forgetting and buying for two! And then not being able to eat it in time.....

Any tips would be welcome, thanks in advance....

Forgot to say what I have eaten:

Porridge
Stew and dumplings (ready meal, nuked)
Left-overs from family Christmas dinner with salad.

Last bit of left-overs, thank goodness, I have now gone off turkey (the bird, not the country).

mcculloch29

Welcome Irenadler. I cooked for more than one for 37 years, and switching my mindset to cooking for one quantities took ages. Thank goodness for ziplock bags, plastic boxes and freezers.
MrAP, I'm so pleased your meet-up went well, and you had the bonus of good food. A dear late friend of mine organised a men's group for carers in his eighties, after he was widowed, I think, as he cared for his wife at home. He and others really got a lot out of it, as so much was geared for women, but male interests needed to be catered for.
He lived until he was 94, and would be with us still I think, but for a cruel illness.

I did indeed have my Creamy Salmon Pasta with my 25p jar of A!di salmon fish paste, and very nice it was too. I love this, but daren't make it too often as I don't want to tire of it.
I shortened the prep and cooking time by defrosting pre-chopped onions in a zip-lock bag, and then cooking them in the micro. That way 20 minutes is cut down to 13, I cook my pasta in my microwave 'pressure cooker', as the sauce is prepped on the stove top. The chilli and lemon are the strong flavours in this, so there's no real loss of flavour from not frying the onion.

Need2bthrifty

Morning All

Wet and windy this morning - the weather not me - which means I have no other option than to get on and do the last bit of cleaning and ironing before the New Year arrives.

I was so disappointed yesterday, I'd left the avocado a few days too long and about a third had gone all brown so not as much guacamole for lunch as I'd hoped.

Still working my way through the chunk of stilton in the fridge, had some on toast with a pear this morning, I'll make some stilton scones today and then freeze the rest for a while to make a soup or quiche later in January/February.

Freezer diving today - think I have celery or mushroom soup in there, a stilton scone should go nice with either of these and I fancy having chicken curry and rice for tea.

caronc wrote: »

"Greek" feast tonight which I'm really looking forward to - we are having lots of dishes that I can't pronounce or spell;):D.

Oooh that sounds lovely, look forward to hearing all about it.

PasturesNew

I didn't get round to eating anything until about 5pm yesterday.... then I had a big toasted bread roll topped with beans and scrambled eggs.

Having eaten .... I then had crisps and chocolate ....

It's cold, it's wet. I have to leave the house for something small ... but I'll be there/back ASAP as there's nothing to go out for!

I've plenty of food in, but now wondering if I should've thought about such alien concepts as:
NYE food.
NY Day food.

At home mum'd cook another Xmas Dinner on New Year's Day. Turkey and everything. I certainly won't ever be doing that!

I've still got nigh on 4Kg of spuds to get through, 450g of brussels, 400g of carrots .... all fresh and need using up, but while there are crisps/chocolate to eat I can't find any motivation in their direction.

I've not seen another person for a week now... my how time passes.

I just found an idea/motivation. Tomorrow's food will be Yorkshire pudding, mashed potato, brussels sprouts, carrots. I can then either have beef brisket with that, or chicken/stuffing. I have roast parsnips and roast potatoes I can toss onto the plate too. I'll decide tomorrow. I've just put the spuds on to make the mash.