Half Time
Mary Ann Sparks
Now that there’s only one or two in the house what should we do with all those family-sized recipes that have become our favorites? What should we do with all the cookbooks that show servings of 4, 6, 8 or more? I have the answer. Provided we still enjoy cooking for ourselves or for two in the home, all those family favorites still can be enjoyed. I have a chart that shows what the breakdown of measurements if we need to make half a recipe or a third of that favorite recipe.
Just print out this chart and keep it near your cooking area. If you want, laminate it so all those food smudges can just be wiped off. Punch a hole in the top of the laminating and hang it up. Do whatever works best for you.
Reducing Ingredients
Original Amount
1 cup
¾ cup
½ cup
1/3 cup
¼ cup
1 tbsp
1 tsp
½ tsp
¼ tsp
Half of Recipe
½ cup
6 tbsp
¼ cup
2 tbsp plus 2 tsp
2 tbsp
1½ tsp
½ tsp
¼ tsp
1/8 tsp
One-third of Recipe
1/3 cup
3 tbsp plus 1½ tsp
2 tbsp plus 2 tsp
1 tbsp plus 2¼ tsp
1 tbsp plus 1 tsp
1 tsp
¼ tsp
1/8 tsp
a dash
The above amts are rounded down
Grocery shopping for one or two can be a daunting task. Most food items in today’s grocery stores are packaged for a family of four in most cases. Even the warehouse stores only have large size packaging. So, what are the single person, the older couple and the light eaters to do? These days I only cook for one or two most days. I’ve gone from preparing meals for six down to two. It wasn’t easy to adjust. I still tend to make spaghetti for an army as well as chili and soup. I’ve learned through trial and error what works the best.
For instance, I still buy pork chops in packages of six. I always keep quart size freezer plastic bags on hand so that I can break up that six pack. Two per freezer bag is good since I can prepare two chops at a time and have one for dinner and the other for lunch the next day or, if two of us are eating we each get one. Chicken pieces can be divided the same way. Cube steaks generally come two to a package so they are no problem. It’s always economically good to get a small pot roast, prepare it in your slow cooker with some onions, potatoes and carrots. This can be two meals, some sandwiches and, freeze the rest for another day if desired. I usually buy the large packages of frozen vegetables since I can microwave as much as I want, put a twisty tie around the rest of the opened package and put it back in my freezer for another meal. Price wise, these larger size packages are cheaper per pound than the smaller boxes. If you get fresh fruits and vegetables buying for one or two is even simpler.
The only items that still can present problems are some canned goods, cake mixes and other dry mixes. I know canned vegetables do come in small sizes so that’s good. However canned soup just comes in one size. I would advise to get whatever kinds you enjoy, have a serving and keep the rest in a container for later in the week. Just don’t let it get pushed to the back of your refrigerator where it’s easily overlooked and forgotten. Cream soups are great for cooking uses. What isn’t used in your recipe have for lunch the next day. In another article I’ll be giving suggestions on ways to make canned soups taste more homemade by use of herbs and spices. Cake mixes generally come in larger boxes; however I’ve noticed some packages of muffins and corn bread that do come in smaller sizes. A large cake mix can still be made but when baking use two square pans or 2 layer cake pans. Keep one out to eat and freeze the other. Cake does freeze nicely if wrapped tightly in foil and put into a gallon sized freezer bags.
Dairy products like milk comes in half gallon and quart size so that shouldn’t present any problems. Cheese keeps well and the shredded varieties can be opened, use what you need and the rest put back in the freezer. They do come in low fat and fat free also. Eggs still just come in the dozen size packaging. If you’re concerned that your eggs won’t stay fresh there are egg containers that won’t expose the eggs to air and keep them fresher. They aren’t expensive. Butter can be frozen too, so if there’s a sale on it and you use it, freeze the extra. Margarine comes in smaller size containers so there’s no problem there.
Cooking for one or two isn’t the daunting task that it’s thought to be. Storage bags and taking the time to divide up larger packages is the key. I also keep a dry erase board on my refrigerator to keep track of what I’m running low on and what I’ve run out of just in case I get one of those famous Senior Moments. Cutting coupons can also save money for those of us on a tight budget. Some cities also have food programs that provide quality items for a small amount of money. Remember the old saying, we are what we eat. Your health depends on the fuel we give our bodies
