More often than not, recipes are built around serving four people. This is a little much when you are the only one eating. It's important to pay attention to the metric of the ingredients before starting so that you can adjust accordingly.
If I'm putting a little more effort into my dinner, I try to make an extra portion to save myself some time the next day. Having lunch ready to go, only needing to be heated up for a minute before you can eat is a beautiful thing. I don't mind cooking but I don't have time to do it for hours everyday. Planning ahead helps a lot!
If you live in a house with a lot of people, talk to them about splitting meals. It can be fun to take turn cooking dinner, and can be adjusted to everyones' schedules. Sharing food can be tricky too, so watch out for that. You don't want to have someone eating all of your leftovers.
Meal prep is a great concept, if you're willing to put in the work. Thinking about what you want to eat for the rest of the week is a real guessing game, but it can keep you on a healthier track. This keeps every meal exciting. Here are some other helpful tips to maximize your meals:
Start simple: don't try to create a four course meal for each day. Plan a simple concept that can be seasoned differently.
Batch cooking: cooking different mixed veggies with marinated chicken, can be done differently everyday. Never fall into the same boring routine.
Mix in different food groups. Adding some grains, proteins, and veggies to each meal will keep it balanced.
Don't forget dessert! Be sure to treat yourself, by being well stocked with ice cream, or whipping up a fresh batch of cookies.
Tomato Basil Salmon
Ingredients:
2 boneless salmon fillets
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 tomato, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Line a baking sheet with a piece of aluminum foil, and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
Place the salmon fillets onto the foil, sprinkle with basil, top with tomato slices, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven until the salmon is opaque in the center, and the Parmesan cheese is lightly browned on top, about 20 minutes.
Serve and enjoy!
Ginger Veggie Stir-fry
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 1/2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 teaspoons chopped fresh ginger root, divided
1/4 cup vegetable oil, divided
1 small head broccoli, cut into florets
1/2 cup snow peas
3/4 cup julienned carrots
1/2 cup halved green beans
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 1/2 tablespoons water
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 tablespoon salt
In a large bowl, blend cornstarch, garlic, 1 teaspoon ginger, and 2 tablespoons vegetable oil until cornstarch is dissolved.
Mix in broccoli, snow peas, carrots, and green beans, tossing to lightly coat.
Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat.
Cook vegetables in oil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
Stir in soy sauce and water.
Mix in onion, salt, and remaining 1 teaspoon ginger.
Cook until vegetables are tender but still crisp.
There are so many great recipe websites to explore to find any meal, big or small, that will be perfect to cook, even for the least- experienced!
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