Cindy Kerschner - The Cooking for One Cookbook

Copyright 2019 by Rockridge Press, Emeryville, California

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Interior and Designer: Diana Haas

Photo Art Director: Sara Feinstein

Editor: Jesse Aylen

Production Editor: Gleni Bartels

Photography 2019 Laura Flippen. Food Styling by Laura Flippen.

courtesy of Troy Schnyder.

ISBN: Print 978-1-64152-984-6 | eBook 978-1-64152-985-3

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Thanks to Margaret, James, and Maureen, who stood by me and shared their solo cooking tips, recipes, and techniques over the years.

CONTENTS

THECOOKING FOR ONE COOKBOOK challenges and encourages solo cooks to engage with their kitchens to craft simple, satisfying, and convenient meals. Whether youre a novice or a more seasoned cook, in these pages youll find a wide array of recipes to fit easily into your day. Cooking meals at home has so many benefits; you control the ingredients, prep time, portions, and cost. On a deeper level, cooking your food builds a connection between you and what you put into your body. Its a connection that lets us keep the unfortunate surprises out and the delicious flavor in.

My passion for food began in childhood. Mom and I planted a vegetable garden with green beans, onions, peppers, and carrots, and I helped weed and harvest. My favorite dinner began with picking fresh green beans for Moms ham and string bean soup. Mom provided a succinct lesson in portion control by handing me a one-quart saucepan, instructing me to fill it to the top. That simple request guaranteed our family a fresh supply of green beans for our dinnernot too much and not too littleand it meant that we would have vegetables waiting for our next meal.

When I first moved out on my own, I was determined to make those dishes Mom taught me. After all, a little comfort food goes a long way! I incorporated her ideas for portioning each item per serving, and for me, that meant lower costs and less food waste. Its a lesson that has aged well, since scaling recipes for one is a strategy I use to this day on my blog, Cindys Recipes and Writings.

But before you move to the recipes, well discuss furnishing your cooking for one kitchen. The covers the basic pots, pans, and utensils needed to make cooking for one convenient and efficient, and Ill share my tips on how to stock your pantry for ready access to foods youll need on hand regularly.

Most importantly, this cookbook features 100 easy-to-make recipes designed to be budget- and time-friendly. Over three-quarters of the recipes can be made from start to finish in 30 to 45 minutes or less, making them perfect for college students, single adults, and busy seniors.

Ive structured these recipes around weekly meal plans intended to alleviate food-related stress, so youll find a two-week sample to make scheduling even easier.

With both a days food and a book, its important to start at the beginning. A quick breakfast is the right way to break whats literally been a fast, and , Easy Breakfasts for One, gives you 15 accessible recipes to begin your day with the fuel you need. Short on time? Dont stress! Many of these dishes can be taken on the go.

Lunch often takes a backseat in our busy lives. Promising yourself to grab something later often results in a wilted convenience-store salad, but packing lunch guarantees a true midday boost. There are several recipes in , Lunch Made Easy, to make and take along for a healthy meal. One of my favorites, BBQ Chicken Shaker Salad, offers a fresher, wallet-friendly alternative to prepackaged salads, and its unbelievably simple to make.

Lastly, preparing dinner doesnt have to be overwhelming or time-consuming. In fact, cooking simple dinners can be an effective way to save time and money, and reinforces that soulful connection between your body and your food. The Meatless Mains for One chapter (, Proteins Made Simple, youll find inventive ways to use chicken, beef, pork, and turkey in tried-and-true recipes like Chicken Piccata, a lively Pork Chop with Pineapple Salsa, and smoky Chipotle Rib Eye.

The , Treat Yourself, is a full array of desserts for one. Chocolate lovers can dig into a Cinnamon Chocolate Brownie or take a bite of velvety Mocha Fudge. Those with a fruitier dessert palate should try the Apple Kugel or a juicy Berry Galette.

The recipes include tips intended to be tailored to your needs and tastes. Some recipes include shortcuts, while others offer key ingredient nutritional information to boost your culinary know-how. Youll find substitutions to help replace missing ingredients, and flavorful options to switch up the taste profiles and keep you happy, healthy, and satisfied.

My sincere hope is that you come to enjoy and rely on The Cooking for One Cookbook as much as I have enjoyed bringing it to you! Happy cooking, and even happier eating!