Cooking for one
A growing number of Americans are warding off the stigma of preparing meals solo.
from the April 27, 2007 edition
Page 3 of 3
Although instructors like Mr. Urbanetti and Reti are helping usher in new attitudes about cooking and eating solo, they have their work cut out for them. Most recipes still serve four to six, and grocery shopping is still easier and more economical when it's for multiple people.
"At the supermarket, there's not a whole lot you can do for one," says Sandra Lee, host of the Food Network's popular Semi-Homemade show and author of the Semi-Homemade cookbook series. "When you do find single servings, they're more expensive because of packaging costs."
But there are ways to work around this. Rather than avoid buying meat, for instance, Ms. Lee suggests asking a butcher to cut and repackage it. "Sometimes you'll see one really nice steak in a package of four. You can ask for it to be divided up."
Putting the time and effort into such strategies is well worth the effort, she says. The pace of modern life simply means eating alone sometimes, even if one lives with other people or has a healthy social network.
"Downtime alone has become a luxury," she says. "When you're by yourself, you can reflect, regroup, cook at your own pace. You don't have to think about anyone but yourself. If you want to have tacos four nights a week, you can."
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