A Solo Food Special for Singles
The single life means
freedom to enjoy what you like the way you like. There'll be plenty
of time to make culinary compromises when you meet your soul mate
and want to heat things up! 
Nothing spurs singles, especially gadget-loving ones, to cook solo like a well-equipped kitchen with all the necessary appliances, utensils and cookware. Besides a refrigerator, small freezer and stove with oven, a bachelor’s basic kitchen gear includes:
- Food processor or blender;
- Microwave;
- Colander and sieve, cutting board, ladle, wood spoon, spatula, whisk, big and small knives, vegetable peeler, corkscrew, can opener;
- Paper towels, aluminum foil and plastic wrap;
- Freezer bags or containers;
- Skillet, pots and baking pans.
Regular visits to the supermarket and sensible reserves are the keys to avoiding a steady diet of chips and ice cream. Discover your Metro supermarket’s catering service and explore the store’s various departments. You’ll find plenty of inspiration and great recipe ideas!
Step one is setting aside cupboard space for the essentials no single should be without:
- Dry bouillon cubes or packets (chicken, beef and vegetable) for making soup or adding flavour to pasta, rice or vegetables;
- Quick rice, couscous and pasta (spaghetti and some other for special days);
- Canned tomatoes and tomato sauce;
- Canned legumes (lentils and chick peas);
- Dried fruit (raisins and dates) and nuts (almonds and walnuts);
- Stewed fruit and fruit sauces;
- Olive oil, vinegar (wine and balsamic) and white wine;
- Croutons, rusks and crackers to go with soups and appetizers;
- Sliced bread and other breads and rolls (panini, kaiser or pita).
- Granulated sugar, powdered sugar, all-purpose flour and breadcrumbs;
- Salt, pepper, herbs (parsley, basil, tarragon, savory) and spices (cayenne, cinnamon and ginger).
Although they don't seem like much listed like this, with these foods and a little imagination you can make many tasty meals.
With only their own tastes and time table to consider, singles are free to improvise and to shop on a day to day basis, buying whatever fresh goods strike their fancy. But the fridge should always hold the following essentials:
- Fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables;
- Plain yogurt, milk and cheese (including some for casseroles);
- Eggs (buy them by the half-dozen; for longer storage, opt for a carton of pasteurized eggs);
- Spoonable salad dressing;
- Butter and margarine.
Singles whose cooking style runs to spur-of-the-moment improvisations should know that the freezer is their surest ally! Avoid tedious, time-consuming prep work with the many frozen foods that just need to be zapped in the microwave. To make full use of your freezer, keep it stocked with the following:
- Vegetables: beans, spinach, mixed vegetables;
- Fruits: raspberries, strawberries, blueberries;
- Individually wrapped meat and fish;
- Ice cream, sherbets and fruit coulis
- Find a good cookbook with plenty of single-serving recipes.
- Or prepare simple multi-serving recipes. The leftovers will make great lunches that should get you a reputation as someone who knows their way round the kitchen.
- If you don't want to eat the leftovers all week long, freeze them in single-meal portions to enjoy later.
- If you want heat-‘n-eat dishes now and again, read the nutritional information on the packaging carefully to avoid foods with too much fat and salt. Then round out the meal with well-chosen fresh products.
- For extra motivation, try out new recipes for future dinners with that special friend!
- Finally, why not organize a “singles” weekend where singles get to cook together? You'll share recipes, good times and great memories!
Have an enchanting evening even when dining... alone! Take the time to prepare appetizing meals. Fine dining is about enjoyment, not just sustenance.
- Prepare dishes that tantalize your taste buds.
- Then create an enticing ambience! Set a nice table with a real plate, knife, fork, spoon and glass, light some candles and put on your favourite music.