DiscussionsCooking for Two

My children have recently left home, so my husband and I are left here, used to cooking for 4-6 people, not 2!  I am still cooking the same amount, because I never know who will show up.  I try to freeze meats in individual portions, to have the flexibility to thaw when needed.  However, you can't do that with a roast or a turkey, etc.  How have you adjusted, when you have become "empty nesters"?  I am not fond of leftovers, especially meats.

Since my divorce I've used leftover meat to make soup.  I take the meat chop it up into small cubes, 1 or 2 cans of broth (depending on the amount of meat) (to match the meat), 1  or 2 cans (again, depending on the amount of meat), add 2-3 heaping tablespoons of boullion granules (matching the meat again).  Put all in a large enough sauce pan and simmer for about 1/2 hour.

J.R.

Hi wiggins,

Going down to two people from 4-6 can be quite a change! Pillsbury recognizes that cooking for two can be a challenge, especially when most recipes are made to feed at least four. Check out Pillsbury’s newsletter “Cooking For Two,” which offers tips for scaling down, and delicious recipes from meals to appetizers to desserts. You can sign up and view a sample here: http://www.pillsbury.com/newsletters.

Good luck and happy cooking!

—Erin D.

Hi, Wiggin's.  I too have had the problem of cooking way too much "Just in case someone came by" then I ended up with a freezer full of cooked meats and meals.  After cleaning that out I decided to make sure that people knew that if they were planning on coming by my house for dinner they had better let me know in advance as there wouldn't be any food cooked for them otherwise.  But I do like to have some leftovers to make some meals with.  Like leftover coocked chicken, flank steak, pork tender loin, steak, or taco meat to make tortilla pizzas.  they are wonderful easy and FAST.  I also like to use my letover pot roast, for stew, soup, and grind it adding a few things to make a sandwich spread.  anyway.  Good luck with your downsizing.