Last night’s dinner gave me the inspiration for today’s post. As I mentioned yesterday, I made tilapia veracruz Sunday night. The recipe serves 4, but I wasn’t so sure about leftover fish. I mixed it up by only buying half a pound of tilapia, and I bought half a pound of shrimp. Last night I cooked rice and shrimp fresh to go with the leftover veggies.
Brilliant, right? Okay, maybe it’s not anything Earth shattering, but it was delicious nevertheless.
That was one little trick for cooking for three. Let me explain. I cook 1 serving for me and 2 for Kevin, so it’s always like I’m cooking for 3. (Sometimes I eat enough for 2 as well, but that’s another story…)
On a side note, look how cute my cat is.
I usually just serve myself on a lunch plate and serve him on a large dinner plate. Courtney’s post reminded me about the importance of the Small Plate Movement. This isn’t something I do just so the dishes fit better in the dishwasher (and trust me, they totally do), it also helps me with portion control. My stomach is a poor communicator, and it rarely lets me know when I’m truly full. I find that small bowls and plates really help.
And look at how silly her hairy feet are.
Another cooking for three tip is one you already know – leftover leftovers leftovers.
My last tip is to increase veggies and grains. Many recipes serve 4, but that’s not quite enough to feed us both two nights in a row even though it’s too much for one night only. I try to throw in extra veggies, and as I did last night, I throw in extra whole grains for Kevin. His metabolism just burns them right up, and since they’re not processed or fried, I feel good about serving them.
How many people do you cook for on a regular basis? Got any serving tips?
June 5, 2012 at 7:21 am
When I cook with meat and such, I definitely always add an extreme amount of vegetables. A cheap way to make the meal go a little further when it comes to leftovers…
Often I cook for just myself, but sometimes the roommate and I cook together and make sure the serving size is 6- solid leftovers for everyone!
June 5, 2012 at 8:00 am
girl i do the same, and when my husband is in ironman training, its like cooking for 4! unreal. haha
June 5, 2012 at 8:08 am
I usually just cook for myself, but now that I’m at home for the summer, I’m cooking for 5. It can be hard to make meals that please everyone! Like I usually have to make both white and brown rice, and sometimes two different kinds of meats too.
June 5, 2012 at 9:36 am
I do the same thing.. but I cook for 4.. 2 serving for me, 2 for the hubs and 1 for his lunch the next day
It works out perfectly!
June 5, 2012 at 10:07 am
I cook for two, but really, it’s like 4 because we both eat leftovers for lunch.
June 5, 2012 at 10:23 am
I am with KelliH. My sister lives with us and takes care of the little one during the day so I make plenty of food and have lots of leftovers. Using a smaller plate is a good idea though. Silly that I never thought of it
June 5, 2012 at 10:41 am
I’m usually cooking for one, but I’ll typically make 2-3 servings so I have something I can grab easily to take to work. I’ve always eaten of the small plates. My mom served us with them when we were kids, and I just never graduated to the “adult” plate. LOL!
June 5, 2012 at 11:28 am
I cook for two now that I live with a boy, but I’ve been used to cooking for one for so long it’s been an adjustment. Mostly because he wants more meat than I would typically eat, and I can’t eat meat leftover, so I have to plan more for lunches and sneak meatless meals in without him feeling deprived. We cook relatively healthy though, so it’s worked out so far and I love that he cooks some nights and gives me a break.
And, your cat is adorable!
June 5, 2012 at 11:44 am
Your cat is adorable! I have that problem too — there are only two of us, but one serving doesn’t seem like enough but two is too many, so I typically make 3 also and we split.
June 5, 2012 at 12:40 pm
Yes, your cat is precious, and I am not the biggest cat fan. But I love the fluffy fur!
I am totally with you on cooking for two can end up cooking for four, but the hus enjoys the leftovers:) Cooking for one is a
whole other ball game. I’m checking out the small plate movement.
June 5, 2012 at 4:13 pm
I cook for myself and my husband. I try to cook the same thing for both of us and just give him more of it. Once in a while I alter the recipes to make my part a little healthier.
June 6, 2012 at 12:40 pm
I always cook for at least 3, but often more because my family is always over! Also, I try to make enough for leftovers too!