Cooking for One: Time Savers in the Kitchen that Can Save Money Too

I am a decent enough cook. I can cook for 2 or 102, but, most times I just cook for one and at one time, I use to waste so much food. I was throwing away just about as much as I was consuming because I was so use to cooking for a family and of course the sisters and brothers moved out and my parents passed away. So, here I am a single person who is used to cooking for at least 6 or more people. I got tired of watching my money rot in the trash, so, I developed a few strategies.

Onions - I buy one large onion, chop it up and put it in a freezer bag and pop it in the freezer. When I need some onion for cooking, I just break off what I need. You will be tempted to put them in a bowl or storage container, but, when you need some you will have a hard time getting it out without thawing out too much of it. One onion usually lasts me three months or more.

Ground beef - a 3 or 4 pound container can be divided into three separate portions. I do this as soon as I come home from the grocery store, then, place the blocks in a large freezer bag and in the freezer they go. This will last me at least three meals for spaghetti, hamburgers or whatever I need it for. On occasion, I take a portion, add onions and seasonings and create patties in small sandwich bags. I place the bags in the freezer and they are ready whenever I want just one hamburger. Hum.

Spaghetti Sauce - I buy the large cans, use half for my spaghetti, or whatever and freeze the rest for the next meal.

Instead of cooking a pan of cornbread, I buy frozen hushpuppies. I love them; no waste, no hassle and the hushpuppies are seasoned so they add flavor to my veggies.

I love banana pudding, too, but, instead of buying all those ingredients that it would take to make one. I buy pre-made vanilla pudding in the four individual cups; add wafers and bananas. I can use one cup or all of them as needed. Top it off with whipped cream and I'm in heaven.

I refrigerate any canned goods that I plan on serving cold. For instance, fruits and especially tuna, I don't have to chill it before I eat it cause everything in it is already chilled. I have even hard boiled eggs and stored them in the frig until needed.

I truly believe that aluminum foil came straight from heaven, because I use it for so much. When cooking, I line my pans with foil; no scrubbing here. And a lot of times I can place just the foil on the oven rack, as long as what I am cooking doesn't run all over the oven. That wouldn't be a good thing. *big grin*