Single Cooking - Pancakes and Crepes

Ah, the joys of cooking for one (or maybe two).  I have been cooking for almost 40 years, and when I first started cooking, it was for a family of six.  Through the years, I have cooked for a range of numbers, including large gatherings with thirty or more.  The most challenging part of cooking has been cooking for one.  Some food just does not keep well as leftovers

This morning, I craved pancakes, and I knew I didn't want to put in the work for just two pancakes; so I decided to make enough batter for six.  This will allow me to make crepes for the coming week.

Crepes

Make the pancake batter according to the package or recipe directions.  Then, add extra milk.  Notice the consistency of the batter before you add the extra milk.  Then, slowly add extra milk until the batter becomes noticeably thinner.

Cook according to package or recipe directions.

Fill your crepe with something yummy and then roll.

Here is a list of my favorite fillings:

orange marmalade with chocolate chips
peanut butter with banana slices
bakes cinnamon apples with raisins
chocolate chips

I then put 2 crepes in a zip bag and store in the refrigerator.

It only takes 30 seconds in the microwave to warm the crepes for breakfast later in the week.

Singles Cooking - The Smaller Meals

Good Tuesday everyone...............I wanted to write this earlier today, but it was the first day students came back to class, and I have been swamped with those duties.  I'm also awaiting the birth of my first grandchild.  Time is so very limited lately, so having some explicit plans helps me stay on track with eating healthy.

The "smaller meals" are breakfast and lunch.  I work 9 - 10 hour days, mostly on my feet.  I am literally on-stage and on task all day long.  High protein foods and fresh fruits are vital.

Breakfast today was scrambled eggs and sausage.  Lunch was hummus with fresh veggies and orange slices.

The sausage was left over from a gumbo I made last week.

4 meals with 1 lb of ground sausage

Divide the tube in half.  Shape 4 patties with 1/2 pound.  Brown the remaining half pound in a skillet.  Use 2 patties for one breakfast and the other 2 for another breakfast.  I put each 2 patty serving in a snack sized zip bag and freeze.

Once the gumbo is completed, I divided it into 2 meals.  This is how 1 lb of ground sausage makes 4 meals.

Hummus and Crudite Lunch

Even though I had planned on having hummus and crudites for dinner with an antipasta platter, I took a small snack size version in my lunch to work.  I also peeled an orange and put it in a zip bag.

I ate 1/2 of the my orange with my lunch and the other half as a mid morning snack with a 1/3 cup serving of plain almonds.

For those used to eating larger meals, this may sound like not enough food.  What I want you to realize and trust is that eating high protein and fresh fruits will actually fill you up.  It's healthier for you.