Money Saving Tips

Cooking For One - How to Feed Your Single Self

Advice Seeker: Dear April,

I'm a single woman who is sick of eating out and ordering take out. I love cooking but it's so difficult to cook a meal for one. Do you have any ideas for how I can properly and cost-efficiently feed myself?

Sincerely,

Eating Alone

April Masini's advice:

Dear Eating Alone,

Cooking for one person isn't as difficult as you might think it is, and often just involves some tweaking of recipes.

Tips for Feeding Your Single Self:

1. Accept that you're going to have to pay more. Single servings and smaller portions cost more than those warehouse supermarket sized bargains -- that will last in your kitchen forever and a day and go moldy in your house.

2. Buy small quantities of fresh fruits and vegetables. Think chic French single person who shops every day.

3. Use the salad bar at the market.

4. Don't order a pizza. You'll never finish it. Instead order an entree from the Italian, Chinese, Indian, or other takeout place. For one.

5. Buy some fresh basil, a couple of tomatoes, and a small container of buffalo mozzarella pearls to combine for a quick, elegant meal.

6. Buy a quarter pound of shrimp or half a pound of shrimp, cooked, tail on, with cocktail sauce for dinner.

7. Buy salad in a bag or other small bags of pre-washed, pre-cut vegetables.

8. Go to the local farmer's market. It's great, fresh, locally grown food and a great place to meet other singles!