Cooking for Two: How to Avoid Waste

Cooking for two can appear more difficult than cooking for a family. With everything that spoils or goes to waste, sometimes cooking for two doesn't even stack up especially cheap. But you can master the skill of cooking small meals and learn to avoid waste at the same time.

I learned to cook from my mom as I grew up. With three guys in the house, we usually finished dinner off in one swipe, or someone ate the leftovers for lunch the following day. After I got married, I found cooking for two more difficult because my husband expressed distaste of leftovers, and I tossed spoiled produce and meats almost every week. But with a little reshuffling of my habits, I learned that cooking for two could work. Read on for 10 ways I began to enjoy cooking for two.

Plan multiple meals with a common ingredient.
When cooking for two, you can easily plan two or more meals that use the same ingredient. For instance, if you buy a pound of ground beef, but you only want to make two small hamburgers, you can use the remaining beef the next night for stuffed peppers, tacos, or chili. Or you can make a whole chicken one night and serve it with a couple side dishes and use the leftovers for homemade chicken soup within the next day or two.

Freeze portions of your fully cooked meals.
Some recipes just aren't easy to split. I can't divide lasagna recipes well. I won't use half a can of tomatoes, and I don't like breaking noodles in half. For such recipes, freeze portions of your meals-fully cooked-and bring them out a few weeks later. You'll save time in the kitchen the second time around, and you don't have to eat the same meal every day for a week. Plus, if you travel, your partner can enjoy easy and nutritious meals.

Cut recipes in half.
On the flip side, you can convert some recipes with simple math. I have even halved a recipe that called for one egg by whipping the egg, pouring half into my mixing bowl, and storing the other half in the refrigerator. I throw the half egg into a skillet of scrambled eggs or French toast the next morning. When you choose to cut recipes in half, remember to note the cookware called for. If you change the depth of the recipe in the pan, you will need to adjust cooking time as well. By cutting recipes in half, you will reduce or eliminate leftovers.

Use allrecipes.com to adjust recipes.
This website offers a free tool to adjust the number of servings on any of its recipes. I find this tool helpful when I want to divide the recipe into portions other than half. If I really want to try a recipe that provides 12 servings, but I only want 2 servings, I can plug in the servings, and it will convert the ingredients list to the appropriate measurements. This tool also helps divide difficult measurements (for example, if the original recipe calls for one-third cup). However, the instructions for recipes do not change, so if you use this tool, consult the ingredients list, not the numbered instructions, for your quantities. Cooking for two is possible without the conversion charts, scratch paper, and finger counting.

Search for recipes specifically designed for cooking for two.
Several popular cooking publications offer "cooking for two" recipes. You may subscribe to magazines about cooking for two, or browse recipes for free at the following websites: Taste of Home's Cooking for 2, Cooking for Two section at allrecipes.com, or about.com's Cooking for Two channel. Other publications also offer special menus, recipes, or sections geared towards cooking for two. Once again, you'll avoid waste and avoid the sick-of-leftovers syndrome.

Buy less.
In most cases, buying more of a product means you pay less in the long run. The family-size box costs less per ounce than the small box. If you can find a way to freeze or use the extra before it spoils, there's no reason to buy less. But for some products, it's better to pay more per ounce and use everything you've bought. If you consistently throw away two or three Yoplaits from the family-size carton, buy just two or three individual yogurt cups. Or, if your packaged cheese grows moldy before you can eat it, ask the deli worker to shave only a few slices for you during your next grocery run.

Recycle leftovers.
Cooking for two, even at its best, sometimes leaves leftovers. Soups and casseroles offer great hiding places for recycled leftovers. Save those few spoonfuls of peas left after dinner and throw them into a soup or casserole the next night. You'll avoid waste, clean out your refrigerator, and devise new twists on old recipes.

Share meals with other families.
For some large recipes, you may want to share dinner with another couple or family. One time, I made a regular meatloaf, and as an afterthought, invited my husband's parents over to share dinner. When you share meals, you receive the bonus of company and save someone else from slaving over the stove.

Coordinate baking or cooking for two with other social functions.
Cooking for two or cooking for a crowd? Why not both? If your calendar reveals a party or church potluck this week, use leftover ingredients for these dishes. If you find that a whole chicken supplies meat for five meals, and you don't relish eating chicken every day, prepare a couple of dinners with the chicken and use the remaining for the potluck dish. Or if you have been wanting to bake cookies, separate a few into a small bag for you and your partner and take the rest to your party.

Deal with leftovers immediately.
Don't let leftovers sit for a week while you try to decide what to do with them. Stick leftovers in the freezer that same night. You can also chop up your last rib of celery or half a green pepper and freeze it. Then you have an instant addition for soups or other hot dishes. Taking the extra time immediately will save you time and money later.

When you learn to manage small meals and leftovers, cooking for two can become an enjoyable pursuit. Please your partner and your pocketbook.

If you have other tips on cooking for two, feel free to leave a comment below.