Betty Crocker - AARP/Betty Crocker Cooking for Two

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ISBN: 978-1-118-23597-3 (pbk); 978-1-118-28117-8 (ebk); 978-1-118-28118-5 (ebk); 978-1-118-28119-2 (ebk)

Manufactured in the United States of America

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JUST THE TWO OF YOU, ENJOYING YOUR TIME TOGETHER.

Maybe youre sitting down for a quiet meal with your partner, after years of a full house and hectic schedules. Or maybe youre dating again, getting to know someone new (however awkwardly) over a quiet dinner.

Welcome to mealtime for grown-ups. Where do you turn for help?

Dedicated to helping you live your best life, AARP has joined with Betty Crocker to offer solutions, whether youre a foodie whos been cooking for decades or someone averse to spending too much time in the kitchen. Whatever your preferences and talents, youll find a recipe to match: from cozy casseroles to unique fresh salads to small-batch bakingall for just the two of you.

Weve picked recipes that are all simple, easy, and delicious. And theyre good for you. True to AARPs commitment to healthy living, each recipe provides nutritional information and exchanges. Sections outline healthful options, from cooking oil to meatless menus to fantastic desserts made with all natural ingredients.

But do leave room to splurge a little. (, anyone?) Because that, too, is what this time of your life is about.

So celebrate your time together, with gusto.

Cooking for Two

Congratulations!

Youre back to cooking for two. No more worries about pleasing picky eaters! As an experienced cook who has juggled the demands of cooking for a family for years, you may find that smaller-size cooking can be a challenge. Selecting recipes that serve only two are often not easy to find. Maybe youre wondering how to downsize your favorite recipes. To add to that, kitchen equipment and ingredients are often not geared for small-size recipes or households.

Nows the time to make a new discoverycooking for two is an opportunity to find and try new recipes, new ingredients, new products and new equipment that will make it easier to cook just the right amount for two portions.

Shopping and cooking for two can be really fun. Just thinkyou can:

buy what the two of you really like.

splurge on more expensive items because the quantity is smaller.

be as creative as you have time for and experiment more.

There are new foods, new ideas, new recipes and new flavors just waiting for you.

Tea for Two

istockphoto/matejmm

Let this be the time to reconnect with your spouse or that special someone in your life. Share the planning, shopping and cooking responsibilities; sign up to take a cooking class together; connect over a leisurely meal; take the time to enjoy new foods and each other. Expand your horizons by exploring new ethnic recipes and cuisines, all sized for just two.

Where Do I Start?

Want to make a few adjustments to your pantry, shopping, planning and cooking? Let these tips help you make the most of your time:

1. Equip Your Kitchen

Small-size equipment is becoming more available, and you may find it a life-saver. As you downsize your kitchen, look for new appliances and pans to freshen up your favorite room in the house. Youll find that the colors and patterns are prettier and brighter than ever before. Check out this list to help you cook and bake small amounts more efficiently:

6-cup muffin pans

Smaller cookie sheets

8-inch square baking pans

8-inch nonstick fluted tube (bundt cake) pans

4-inch tube pans for baking angel food cakes

Set of small custard cups (6-ounce size) or 4- to 6-ounce ramekins for individual desserts

1-quart casseroles

2-cup (16-ounce) and 3-cup (24-ounce) baking dishes

Small coffeemaker that brews 2 or 4 cups of coffee

Toaster oven

Contact grill

Small food chopper

Small slow cookers (1 12- to 2-quart size)

Mini loaf pans for meat loaves, quick breads and bars

Sturdy food-storage containers (1- to 3-cup size) for leftovers

2. Explore the Store

There are many cooking-for-two choices that will fit your downsized kitchen. Add these to your grocery list to bring convenience to your cooking: