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Topic: Cookbook recommendations for single girl

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redwingsgal avatar
Friend of PBS-Silver medal
Subject: Cookbook recommendations for single girl
Date Posted: 4/21/2009 4:50 PM ET
Member Since: 3/22/2009
Posts: 2,402
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Hi! My niece is without roommates for the first time, so she's looking for cookbooks designed to make meals for one or two people. I thought I'd check with you to see if you have any suggestions for books that wouldn't require as much adjusting to reduce the number of portions or wasted leftovers.Problem is, I've been cooking family sized meals since I was a teen and I have no idea which of the myriad cooking for 1 or 2 style books are any good.  My good old Betty Crocker cookbook just irritates her because she's an inexperienced cook at best and she says trying to scale down the recipes to cut the number of portions takes her longer than actually doing the cooking.

Any suggestions?

The books would need to be reasonably user friendly and can't require a lot of tweaking since her idea of making dinner is fixing a grilled cheese sandwich and pulling a popsicle from the freezer. :)

Thanks for your help!
RochelleR avatar
Date Posted: 4/23/2009 4:46 PM ET
Member Since: 1/8/2007
Posts: 78
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Betty Crocker has a Cooking for 2 book that  you probably could get from here (I didn't check). It has been around a longtime but has been updated in newer editions. For a more current trend check out the Hungry Girl website. She has at least one cookbook. She is the one that suggests healthier alternatives to fast foods and snacks.
redwingsgal avatar
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Date Posted: 4/23/2009 9:55 PM ET
Member Since: 3/22/2009
Posts: 2,402
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Sounds perfect! Thank you!
Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 5/11/2009 10:51 PM ET
Member Since: 1/15/2007
Posts: 880
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A late suggestion but why not just cook the whole recipe and freeze some for later? That's what I have always done (and still do--my husband and I have very different schedules/eating habits). I just make a few things I like on the weekend and then I'm set for the week.



Last Edited on: 5/11/09 10:51 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
LadyRhiannon avatar
Date Posted: 6/3/2009 2:39 PM ET
Member Since: 3/19/2009
Posts: 91
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While this one is not cooking, its baking, it is for only 2 portions. I didn't check to see if it was available through this site, you may have to check a library or bookstore.  Look for a book called "Small Batch Baking". Recipes are designed to make only 2 portions and includes cakes, cookies, browies, pies, etc. Really great book.
hazeleyes avatar
Subject: Internet? Recpies for the single girl... google
Date Posted: 6/21/2009 2:50 PM ET
Member Since: 12/27/2008
Posts: 42
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Lazy Single Girl's Peanutty Noodles

 
Difficulty: Easy

TIME/SERVINGS

Total: 15 minutes

Active: 15 minutes

Makes: one serving (multiply for more)

 

 

 By violet22 | Hacked from Lazy Single Girl’s Peanutty Noodles

A quick, delicious lunch or dinner that can be adapted to whatever you’ve got in the fridge. I made it last night, measuring everything this time, and revised the recipe below. Makes enough for two or three servings.

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 servings of noodles (any type–spaghetti works fine, but so does evey kind of Asian noodle)

  • 3/4 cup of peanut butter (any type–I used Adams smooth)

  • 2 garlic cloves, squoze

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce

  • 1 teaspoon ginger (powdered, use more if fresh)

  • 2 tablespoons honey (molasses or hoisin sauce work too)

  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar

  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce, or more according to tolerance level (optional)

  • Vegetables–whatever you’ve got on hand (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Cook noodles as directed.
  2. Meanwhile, put all remaining ingredients except the vegetables in a small bowl or even coffee cup. Add about one-half cup water to stir. If using Skippy, Jiff or similar major brand peanut butter, reduce the honey. Likewise, if you’re using sweet chili sauce, reduce the honey. If using hoisin sauce, reduce the soy accordingly.
  3. Using a fork or whisk, stir until you get a nice peanut sauce consistency. Adjust seasonings to taste. No, you don’t need to cook this peanut sauce.
  4. If you’re really feeling lazy, you can toss your uncooked veggies (carrots, broccoli, for example) in with the noodles a few minutes before they’re done (be sure to time this right and don’t overcook). This also saves dishes. Otherwise you can steam the veggies separately.
  5. Drain the noodles and veggies. Put ‘em in a bowl. Artfully pour peanut sauce over noodles and veggies. Eat. Enjoy.

 

Also, Saucepans & the Single Girl (Hardcover)  http://www.amazon.com/Saucepans-Single-Girl-Jinx-Morgan/dp/0446696927  new copies from $0.61



Last Edited on: 6/21/09 2:52 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
Generic Profile avatar
Subject: 4 Ingredient Cookbook?
Date Posted: 7/26/2009 11:22 PM ET
Member Since: 7/24/2009
Posts: 11
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Have you tried any of the 4 Ingredent cookbooks? They're easy and quick. Any leftovers you can freeze.

Kim
Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 7/27/2009 9:14 PM ET
Member Since: 7/15/2008
Posts: 798
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I know this is late, but she can get together one weekend and cook up some meals with her friends and divide it among them to freeze in individual portions. It would be healthier and cheaper than buying frozen meals.
MaryMary avatar
Date Posted: 7/31/2009 1:15 AM ET
Member Since: 2/13/2007
Posts: 8,411
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Hungry-girl.com has a cookbook out with a ton of lowfat recipes that serve one or two. 
bad avatar
Subject: Looking for slow cooker (crockpot) cookbooks
Date Posted: 8/6/2009 1:24 PM ET
Member Since: 9/5/2008
Posts: 106
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I just bought a slow cooker (crockpot) and need a few cookbooks so I can start using it. If you have any in your bookshelf would appreciate your sending me a PM so I may request them.

Thanks
jubead avatar
Member of the Month medalFriend of PBS-Silver medalPBS Blog Contributor medal
Date Posted: 8/6/2009 1:33 PM ET
Member Since: 5/14/2009
Posts: 6,852
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rachel ray has a cookbook -cooking for 2 (that isn't the title)



Last Edited on: 8/6/09 1:33 PM ET - Total times edited: 1

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