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A Table For One... Or Two

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I’m widowed, and my daughter is grown, but I still love to cook and want my meals to be not only tasty but also aesthetically pleasing. However, after becoming an empty nester, I found it increasingly challenging to prepare appetizing meals in smalle...
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Food Prep Made Easier

 
Mikki Barrett profile picture
I love this size to freeze my fresh herbs from my lettuce grow counter stand. Sometimes, my crop yields more than I can use promptly, and I don’t want any of the herbs to go to waste. After sharing with my family and friends, I simply add a bit of ol... This is also a great way to keep leftover tomato paste and minced garlic.
Souper Cubes 2 Tbsp Silicone Freezer Molds
 
Mikki Barrett profile picture
I use the 2 tablespoon souper cubes to freeze my herbs for use throughout the year. This recipe specifically addresses basil but keep in mind other herbs can be frozen this way as well. I also may use stock as the liquid component instead of oil and ...
How to Freeze Basil in Olive Oil (Quick and Easy Method)
 
Mikki Barrett profile picture
After becoming an empty nester, I found it increasingly challenging to prepare appetizing meals in smaller portions. I’m not a fan of eating the same thing every day for five or six days in a row, so I was thrilled when I discovered Souper Cubes. If ... This is an incredible starter set that I purchased and use regularly, especially for soups, stews and casseroles
Souper Cubes Silicone Freezer Molds Set - Cranberry
 
Mikki Barrett profile picture
This is an ideal size for freezing larger individual portions of lasagna, casseroles, rice, and almost anything else.
Souper Cubes 2 Cup Silicone Freezer Tray with Lid
 
Mikki Barrett profile picture
Another great size for prepping and storing side dishes.
Souper Cubes 1/2 Cup Silicone Freezer Mold
 
Mikki Barrett profile picture
This one cup size is perferct to freeze extra sauces and veggies.  i even use them to bake indiidual portions of banana bread in since they are oven safe!
Souper Cubes 1 Cup Silicone Freezer Tray w/Lids - Cranberry 2-Pack
 
Mikki Barrett profile picture
This beautifully crafted stoneware 5X5 dish is designed to hold a frozen 2-cup souper cube. I’ve purchased them in this delicious cranberry color and use them quite frequently, particularly with soups and individual casseroles. I simply pop frozen he...
Souper Cubes 5" Stoneware Baking Dishes Set
 
Mikki Barrett profile picture
This ChefMaker Combi Fryer is my favorite small appliance and is a must-have for the kitchen of empty nesters and families alike. It’s a compact countertop appliance that I use regularly. Masterful Cooking Made Easy: The Dreo ChefMaker combines culin...
ChefMaker Combi Fryer
 
Mikki Barrett profile picture
This little Crockpot is the perfect size for slow cooking for one (or two). It’s also a great deal (under $20) from a well-known brand in slow cooking. It doesn’t have any fancy digital screens or bells and whistles, but it gets the job done with eas...
Crock-Pot 2qt Manual Slow Cooker - Stainless Steel: 3 Settings, Reheat & Warmer, Stay-Cool Handles, Dishwasher-Safe Parts
 
Mikki Barrett profile picture
I highly recommend Caraway Cookware.  I’ve been using their nonstick cookware for a few months now and love it. Here are some of my favorite features: - Beautiful Design: Sleek, modern, and available in various colors. - Truly Nonstick: Food slides off easily with minimal oil, making coo...
Ceramic Non-Stick Cookware: Non-Toxic Pots and Pans | Caraway
 
Mikki Barrett profile picture
Having readily available ingredients simplifies meal preparation, allowing you to whip up a quick and tasty dinner without the hassle of extensive planning or shopping for the entire week. It’s all about striking a balance between being realistic and...
How to Stock a Pantry for One Person

For The Table

Yes, the meal is the star of the show, but it becomes even more impressive when the presentation is given some attention. We enjoy food more when we use all our senses. The aromas of a well-prepared meal are intoxicating, while the taste may bring pu... 

 
Mikki Barrett profile picture
I genuinely like almost everything this brand produces. While I didn’t need another set of ramikins, I couldn’t resist this collection of blue and white ones. The Selene collection is a modern interpretation of traditional blue and white china. Vanca...
Vancasso Selene 8 oz Ceramic Ramekins Set of 6
 
Mikki Barrett profile picture
This sturdy 9x8 rectangular deep-dish ceramic casserole can hold approximately 17 ounces of your favorite casserole. It’s oven and dishwasher-safe. The dish has a warm, creamy white glaze with a deep honey antiquing glaze that accentuates the three-d...
9x8 Inch Ceramic Oven Casserole Dish

Breaking The Fast - AKA Breakfast

Breakfast is often called ‘the most important meal of the day'. Early starts, long commutes and busy morning schedules mean many of us don’t make time to sit down to breakfast before heading out for the day. Breaking the Fast is a collection of simpl...

 
Mikki Barrett profile picture
This Cheesy Baked Eggs recipe is one of my favorite easy breakfasts. It requires only a few ingredients and bakes quickly into a warm, cheesy dish that feels special. Baking it in a ramekin ensures that each portion is perfect and there’s no waste. I...
Cheesy Baked Eggs For One

I Eat Meat

Although I adore vegetables, I am a carnivore at heart. When cooking for one or two people, it can be quite challenging to make just enough to avoid eating leftovers for a week. While freezing cooked portions in single servings works for some recipes... 

 
Mikki Barrett profile picture
The Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer is my favorite small appliance these days (read about it under the Food Prep Made Easy Section). It truly simplifies the process of making a perfectly cooked steak. Honestly, a good steak cooked to perfection in any air...
Air Fryer Sirloin Steak
 
Mikki Barrett profile picture
Let me start by saying that I’m a huge fan of tomatoes in all their forms. However, when I came across this recipe for Chili No Tomatoes, it caught my attention. After all, everyone knows that chili is traditionally made with tomatoes, right? I was g... Food Prep Made Easier Section.
Chili Without Tomatoes
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Savory Sideshows

When it comes to simple yet impressive side dishes, you don’t have to venture far. Your local farmers’ market or grocery store’s produce section is a treasure trove of colorful vegetables that can elevate any meal. Especially when serving meat as the... 

 
Mikki Barrett profile picture
Rice is nice but risotto is better!  I could honestly eat this particular recipe every day so to be truthful I  double the recipe when I make it because one serving is just not enough for me.  It's a bit time consuming to prepare like ant good rissotto is but well worth the constant stirring.
Risotto For One

Stone Soups & Sterling Stews

Stone Soup, a parable about the value of sharing and collaboration, inspires this list of my favorite soups. By combining different ingredients, you can create delectable soups that tantalize your taste buds. While each recipe is delicious in its own... 

 
Mikki Barrett profile picture
This hearty soup, reminiscent of baked stuffed peppers, can difficult to make in just one or two servings. To solve this, I make a full recipe and freeze the soup in two-cup souper cubes (Shown in my Food Prep Made Easier section) to serve later. Whe...
Stuffed Pepper Soup

For The Love Of Pasta

Pasta, the epitome of comfort and versatility, has captured the hearts and taste buds of food enthusiasts worldwide, mine included. From its humble beginnings in Italy to its countless variations across different cultures, pasta has become a beloved ... 

 
Mikki Barrett profile picture
This is, by far, my favorite lasagna recipe, although it does take a bit of time. It’s a simple recipe, but it doesn’t use the commonly used ricotta. Instead, it relies on a fresh homemade ragu, béchamel sauce, Parmesan, and Mozzarella. You can also ...youtube.com/watch?v=X054aPgjLnc. Trust me, it’s worth every bit of the extra time.
Individual Lasagna
 
Mikki Barrett profile picture
Although this isn’t my all-time favorite lasagna, it’s quite tasty and can easily go from prep to table in less than an hour, even if you’re short on time. This is my go-to when I don’t have the time to simmer a ragu for over an hour, and it uses a n...
Lasagna for Two
 
Mikki Barrett profile picture
Honestly, this recipe is written for multiple servings, but it’s easily adjusted for one or two. I make a large batch of caramelized onions and apples as directed and then freeze them in my Souper Cubes. When I’m ready to make this dish, I pop a half...
Caramelized Onion, Apple, and Sausage Pasta Is the Perfect Fall Dinner
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Mikki Barrett profile picture
Here’s another pasta dish that I adore. Like some of the others I’ve shared, a few adjustments will be necessary for one or two servings, but it’s not a complex process. This recipe, technically, yields six servings, but since I’m a pasta enthusiast,... cavatapi according to the package instructions for one or two servings, and it should turn out delicious.
6-Cheese Roasted Tomato Pasta

Just A Bite

 
Mikki Barrett profile picture
Haley always excels in creating visually appealing boards. Check out this board designed exclusively for one person.
Mini Charcuterie Snack Board (Cheese Board for One) — My Moonstone Kitchen