Aren’t these little honeydew melons cute? I got them from my friend’s CSA this week. They’re actually orange inside! And they are tiny…which is perfect because…
This week I am ALONE. As in living by myself for 10 days, no husband, no kids. Nate took the girls for the annual Maynard family trip to Cape Cod. It’s strangely quiet around here. And it’s amazing how the apartment stays so clean! Of course, I do miss the sounds of my girls singing as they play, and dirt in the bottom of the bathtub after bathtime. But I am also enjoying this little break, before school starts, before baby #3 arrives, before life gets crazy…in fact, I’m already eagerly anticipating this afternoon’s nap! 😉
I was telling my friend Gudrun the last thing I want to do this week is plan a menu! I love having each day’s food plans up in the air, subject to my every pregnant whim! So, I’m not really planning a menu this week. I’m taking a break. This doesn’t mean I’m not going to cook, in fact, I would love it if you share your favorite thing to make when you’re cooking for one. I would also like to applaud everyone out there who regularly cooks for one AND plans a menu each week. I am very impressed with your discipline! I completely believe in menu planning and think it makes everyone’s life easier…whether you are just cooking for yourself or for a group of people. BUT…that said…when you don’t have that group of people expecting dinner, it’s just so easy to not plan ahead. So, bravo to you menu-planning single folks!
MONDAY:
– Going to try out the food carts at Edgewood Eats – so excited!
TUESDAY:
– I didn’t get the Mushroom Soup at Draeger’s last week, so I’m getting it this week!
WEDNESDAY:
– Boursin Turkey Baguette (maybe for lunch, maybe for dinner…or maybe not at all!)
THURSDSAY:
– Who knows?
FRIDAY:
– Out to eat with friends before seeing Midnight in Paris
SATURDAY:
– Again, no plans!
SUNDAY:
– Breakfast for dinner…no reason to stop my usual Sunday plans…especially since Nate isn’t here and he’s sick to death of breakfast for dinner 😉
Since I’m providing pretty much zero food inspiration this week, please pretty please share your menu for the week! You need to inspire one another…and me! And remember to share your favorite meals for one – would love to get some ideas for the week!
Hi! My name is Jane Maynard and you've landed yourself on my blog, This Week for Dinner™. Every Sunday I share a weekly menu...and count on you to share yours! You'll also find other deliciousness that I hope you'll enjoy!
Monday – Curry & Basmati Rice
Tuesday – Lime Chicken Breast on BBQ and Corn on the cob
Wednesday – Homemade (Half Meat/Half Veg) Burgers and Goat Cheese Salad
Thursday – Chicken Fajitas
Friday – Omellettes
Saturday – Moroccan Chili
http://www.food.com/recipe/moroccan-chickpea-chili-326457
Sunday – Everyone fends for themselves 🙂
Lots of grilling this week
Sunday: Homemade pizza on the grill (first time!)
Monday: Grilled hot dogs
Tuesday: Spaghetti and meatballs
Wednesday: Breakfast
Thursday: Steak Kebobs
Friday: Tacos
Saturday: Crockpot ribs
Cooking for one is quite hard, but I’ve had to do it a lot. I’m either cooking for one or for four, so it can be hard to make a plan for the week. I like to go for breakfast when it’s just me, because that’s obviously quite easy. But I also make items where I can adjust the quantity really easily, like pasta. One thing I love to do is take left over steak or chicken and make fajitas just for me. That’s a really easy dish for one. This can also be done with out meat of course if you just want to cook the veggies, and you can easily adjust the portions cheese, beans, sour cream, and salsa.
We had homemade pizza on Sunday night too. If done it on the grill before, but usually have problems. Maybe I’ll try it again next weekend as it is on my menu for next weekend too – I used a recipe from Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day, so I have lots of dough in the fridge. We are being very creative with Summer Squash around here lately. We had “cheesecake” for dinner tonight and will be trying some new recipes from Deborah Madison’s book Local Flavors: Cooking and Eating from America’s Farmers Markets later this week. Check out the full menu plan here: http://delicious-nutritious.blogspot.com/2011/07/this-weeks-meal-plan-7252011.html
fajitas sounds good…I just might have to do that tonight!
Sunday: Family’s choice from a Burger Recipe Round-up on homemade buns; winner: Western BBQ Burger! Served with sweeet potato fries
Monday: Stuffed Shells from freezer
Tuesday: Chicken Thighs with Balsamic & Garlic Sauce (from For the Love of Cooking) with portobello mushrooms
Wednesday: Dinner at church
Thursday: Spicy Dr. Pepper Shredded Pork in the slow cooker (PW)
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out
Monday: Loaded Alfredo with Corn-mealed Chicken and Vegetables
Tuesday: Tortilla Soup
Weds: Skirt Steak marinated in Italian dressing and Smitten Kitchen’s RATATOUILLE!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thurs: Wheat Grilled Cheese with Apples and Bacon and Onion Beans
Fri: Cheese Pizza, multi-grain crust
Sat/Sun: use up/free for all etc
cooking alone is difficult! For that I like throw together from stuff you may already have, chicken tacos, pasta with a kick etc
sun: out
mon: salmon & shells
tues: garlicky clam pizza
weds: out
thurs: steak & goat cheese mashed potatoes
fri: biscuits & gravy
sat: tbd
Sun: Rotisserie chicken + big salad (it is WAY too hot to cook!)
Mon: 5 year anniversary- dinner and movie date
Tues: Indian style wheat tortillas (roti)+ dal + stir fried veggies
Wed: Quinoa salad with garbanzo beans
Thur: Leftovers
Fri: Rice noodles with garlicky chicken meatballs and stir fried veggies
Sat: Visiting my folks, so … Mom’s cooking!
I haven’t cooked for one in a while, but the last time my husband and toddler went out to dinner by themselves (actually, ONLY time), I made a big bowl of pasta with a spicy, almost raw tomato and garlic sauce with olive oil and parmesan cheese on top. Simple, but it so hit the spot. Yum yum!
that sounds delish!!!
Smoked Turkey Breast (in slow cooker-hope it turns out!)
Gazpacho, Garlic Dill Crackers, Key Lime Pie
Burger & Bean Packets, Potato Salad
Breakfast Burritos, Zucchini Muffins
Meatball Stuffed Pasta Shells, Garlic Bread
Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken, Corn
Orange Soy Pork Loin, Brown Rice
Rachel Sandwiches, French Fries
I am the absoluste worst when it comes to cooking for one… honestly I end up getting food out or grilled cheese.
Sorry I’m no help.
Sunday: Chili
Monday: Meatball Sliders and a green salad
Tuesday: leftovers
Wednesday: Pork Chops and Parmesan and Herb Risotto
Thursday: Fish Tacos
Friday: Pizza
Saturday: dinner out
Sunday: hopefully leftovers from dinner!
Ooh, and I think I figured out how to direct link. Cross my fingers it works…
Yay, it worked!!! That’s all. I’m happy. Have a great week!
How did you do it?
Go to this link and it explains how easy it is. 🙂
thanks for sharing that link!
my brother is working on that post I promised…but, yeah, we still haven’t published it. way to figure it out, courtney!
So easy! Thanks!!
my menu (with some recipes) can be found on my blog or at this link: http://arehselfstory.blogspot.com/2011/07/monday-menu.html
i have some lunch items (L>) as per request of the kiddos…
chicken/broccoli/rice casserole
L> hot dogs
L> sandwiches
home made chicken fingers with sour creamed potatoes and peas
L> chicken noodle soup and grilled cheese sandwiches
spaghetti and cottage cheese
french toast maybe with bacon
baked fried chicken with mashed potaters and buttered garlicky corn
vodka cream pasta
hamburger ramen
crock pot apricot chicken with rice and oriental green salad
ground beef and spinach lasagna roll ups
cheddar barbecue biscuits
cooking for one? i’ve never done it. i think when i was single i just didn’t eat… seriously! but i’m glad you asked because my mother-in-law who is a single lady that lives by herself fell last week and broke her wrist and has a head injury. i’m planning meals for her. mostly i’m just preparing an extra plate of our food to bring to her, but these ideas are great!!! i think if i were single NOW i’d eat a lot of sandwiches or salads. those are both so easy to make for one, plus different each time, AND healthy!
Enjoy your break! 🙂 Here’s our menu for this week.
Monday-Minute Steaks w/mashed potato & gravy, corn on the cob, tomatos slices
Tuesday-Quiche w/salad
Wednesday-BBQ pork chops w/baked sweet potato’s and peas.
Thursday-Seasoned Chicken Wraps w/chips & dill pickle OR leftovers-if there are any
Friday-Either popcorn chicken or baked breaded shrimp, cheese ball, fresh veggie sticks and grapes. (Friday nights are our “snack” food night so no heavy cooking allowed.) 🙂
I must say, I am DEFINITELY enjoying the break!!! 🙂
I just got back into town from a month long vacation, am feeling rather under the weather, and have to travel for work this week, so I don’t have a meal plan. But I DO cook for one–all the time! If you need some inspiration, check out my “Party of One” recipes! 🙂
http://hungryhealthyhappy.wordpress.com/recipes/party-of-one/
will check that out!!
Sometimes I miss the days when it was just me and I could eat whatever I wanted for dinner- even if it was pasta w/red sauce and mozzarella four nights in a row!
Sunday- grilled shrimp, cous cous and corn on the cob
Monday- veggie calzone
Tuesday- Chicken masala w/rice and peas
Wednesday- Pasta w/tuna, capers and olives
Thursday- work event
Friday- probably take-out pizza
Saturday- girls weekend away!
I think that’s the most fun about it…just doing whatever I want whenever I want. it’s going to be hard to go back to cooking for four next week!
We’re still only cooking for 2… which can also be challenging, succumbing to the “I don’t wanna’s” and going out. I have an infant, but she’s only 7 months. I hope to transition her to table foods soon, though. I will say, it still takes some getting used to when we go to restaurants and I say “we need a table for 3” now. 😉
This week, I am using up some leftover “stuff” we have in the pantry. I didn’t want to go grocery shopping, but we needed things like toilet paper, so I had to head out anyway. 😛 And I took my husband… mistake! The grocery bill was about twice what I wanted it to be.
Sunday – BBQ Chicken Wings & Fries (didn’t eat this last week)
Monday – Lentil Tacos or Out (depends, I have a hair appt after work)
Tuesday – Spaghetti w/Meat Sauce & Spinach Salad
Wednesday – Chicken Fried Rice
Thursday – Lentil Soup & Grilled cheese on jalapeno bread
Friday – Out
Saturday – Breakfast for dinner or Frozen Pizza
sorry no weekly menu to share, but I can tell you that I’ll definitely be trying your watermelon salad. Recently decided I’d commit to meatless Mondays, so tomorrow night seems like a good time to try your recipe. thanks!!
good luck with meatless mondays! I have to say, cutting out meat from our diet was so much easier than I thought it would be…we still have it, but not nearly as much and I love it!
Mon: Asian Spinach Salad + Fresh Mangos
Tues: Fresh Tomato & Basil Pasta
Wed: Choo’s Chicken + Couscous
Thur: Creamy Lemon Pasta with Spinach & Tomatoes + Fruit
Fri: Omelettes + Toast + Mango Smoothies
Sat: BBQ Chicken Sandwiches + Lime Cilantro Quinoa Salad
If I was feeling in the mood to cook for just myself (usually I’m not in the mood — cold cereal for dinner) I think I’d do some yummy “shower food” type things: bruschetta, cucumber sandwiches on baguettes, special salads that my husband won’t eat, etc. Mmm. Sounds good.
that’s a great idea!
Monday: Ranch Chicken Pasta
Tuesday: Healthy Baked Chicken Nuggets and Lighten Up Mac and Cheese (both via skinnytastes.com)
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday: Baked Chicken Parmesan + salad
Friday: Having friends over!
I don’t know that I have any tips for cooking for one…I am still trying to master cooking for just two! We have a hard time going through an entire recipe and/or I forget to freeze the leftovers. I am still learning! I think when it was just me I ate a lot of pasta, baked potatoes and hot sandwiches.
I am very uninspired this week too. So I was thinking easy!
Maybe some thing like,
Burritos
Spaghetti and meatballs
Hotdogs
Wednesday we always do pizza since we have boy scouts and it takes up most the evening
Pancakes
ooh maybe chili and do the hot dogs after as chili dogs?
I dont know what else maybe leftovers?
I love the chance to cook for myself, it means I can eat whatever I what which is mainly veggies! A favourite is ratatouille with goat’s cheese or a poached egg and crusty bread.
Mon: Left over meat from the BBQ, baked potatoes and salad
Tue: Salad with goat’s cheese croutons, peaches
Wed: Pasta with roasted peppers and crispy breadcrumbs
Thur: Courgette and feta quiche, salad
Fri: Fish cakes
Sat: Steak and rocket sandwiches
Sun: Dinner at mum’s
Sunday – bake at home pizzas (after the Phillies game!)
monday – chicken curry with basmati rice and samoas
tuesday – burgers on the grill
wednesday – I’m away for the day so up in the air?
thursday – niece and nephews arrive to gear up for a cape may vacation! I’m thinking grilled pizzas
friday – every one over before the shore – home made pasta with garlic bread
saturday- on vacation! burgers and dogs on the grill after the beach!
My go to when it’s just me is pasta with some garlic, olive oil, parmesan cheese and herbs if I’m feeling like it. Actually, that sounds really good now!
– Homemade pizza
– Italian drip beef and spaghetti salad (a cold pasta salad)
– Tostadas with leftover drip beef
– Paninis – Cheddar, Boston tomato and arugula on Chris’ first rye bread!
– Cream pasta – pasta, zucchini and squash sauteed in a sage and thyme cream sauce.
– Spicy Thai basil stir fry
– Out to the county fair to see the cows! It’s where we went on our first date, so we go every year now. (c:
I’m trying to get back on the bandwagon of meal planning. Summer has thrown me for a loop on that one…
But here’s this week’s menu:
Sun – Orange Chicken
Mon – Grilled Pizza
Tues – Pork Quesadillas with Sweet Corn Salad
Wed – Crockpot Meatballs served over pasta
Thurs – Pecan Crusted Chicken Salad
Fri through Sun – I’m out of town…hubby will have to figure that one out himself.
Sunday – pork loin on grill, grilled squash with onions and parmesan curls, salad
Monday – hamburgers on pretzel rolls, sweet potato fries, veggies & dip
Tuesday – teriyaki chicken kabobs, brown rice and barley
Wednesday – cube steak au poivre, corn on the cob, salad
Thursday- veggie stir fry, jasmine rice, pot stickers
Friday – taco night
Saturday – cooking class with my husband to celebrate our 10th anniversary
I think I need to copy this menu for next week. It all sounds great!
I’m excited for the week. Hope you enjoy it next week! 🙂
I have a paper due at the end of the week and we are trying to save some money on groceries. So, this week is pretty simple, easy and cheap (minus the birthday dinner menu). Hopefully, I’ll be back to a more inspired and exciting menu next week.
Sunday- Family Birthday Dinner for 20 People: pulled pork, coleslaw, sweet potato salad, jello salad, hummingbird cake, brownies and peach pie
Monday- Leftovers
Tuesday- Leftovers- we have a ton!
Wednesday- Pizza
Thursday- Tuna-Egg Salad Sandwiches
Friday- Bolognese Pasta from the freezer
Saturday- Beans, Rice and Tortillas
Unfortunately, I’m terrible at cooking for one. When I was single, I would make a recipe for 4 and just eat on it for 4 days…
Sun – TriTip w/ baked potatoes
Mon – Stromboli
Tue – Italian Pork Chops w/ herb rice and green beans
Wed – Ravioli w/ marinara, garlic bread, and caesar salad
Thu – Chicken Nachos
Fri – Burgers w/ sweet potato fries
Sat – open
Must be hard without your family but, what a treat for you time before the whirlwind begins!
Sunday: kylie’s birthday party
Monday: yakitori with coconut rice and roasted vegetables
Tuesday: el toro bravo – friends from san francisco arrive
Wednesday: dinner in san diego for campbell’s princess tea party
Thursday: farmers market pizza with roasted vegetables
Friday: date night
Saturday: wedding in san clemente
Dessert: pink lemonade cupcakes and s’mores cookies
http://sweetflours.blogspot.com/2011/07/menu-planning-37-sunday-july-24th.html
it IS a treat, I must admit! 🙂
Sunday–Grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches, chips, fruit salad
Monday–Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches, Oven Baked Fries, Spinach Salad
Tuesday–Shrimp Quesadillas, Corn with Lime and Chili Powder, Refried Beans, Chips and Salsa
Wednesday–Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Chips, Fruit Salad
Thursday–Steak on the Grill, Baked Potatoes, Brocolli and Cheese Sauce
Friday–Oven Chicken Parm and Manicotti, Garlic Bread, Spinach Salad or Out
Saturday–Out
When I’m by myself, I love to eat things my husband hates (as many veggies as I can get!). I love the Pioneer Woman’s favorite salad, Chicken and Pasta salad cold with peanut dressing, Chicken Salad with Honey mustard and mayo (with fruit and slivered almonds), breakfast food, and Indian or Thai takeout.
I will definitely be using this meal plan for next week thanks Michelle! This is my family’s kind of food!
This week I just don’t feel like cooking but I know my family must eat, so this week will be easy for the most part.
Sunday: Grilled steak, fried potatoes, and salad
Monday: Spaghetti and Meatballs, garlic bread and salad
Tuesday: Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops, smashed fried potatoes, and caprese salad (from last week)
Wednesday: Chicken Spaghetti
Thursday: Chicken and Waffles (from last week)
Friday: Beef fajitas, homemade tortillas and refried beans
Saturday: Tilapia Athenian, couscous and Greek salad.
You can view more about these recipes at http://kitchenandkids.com/2011/07/25/this-week-in-our-kitchen-week-of-july-24th/
Sat – BLTs
Sun – baked haddock, rice, zucchini/summer squash
Mon – zucchini boats
Tues – grilled chicken, Kohlrabi slaw
Wed – pasta w/ CSA veggies (zucc/ss, english peas)
Thurs – homemade pizza, salad
Fri – BFD
Enjoy your quiet week and fun food! Another odd week for us…
Sunday-Cinnomon Toast Crunch Cereal
Monday-Taco Bell (with beans instead of meat)
Tuesday-Frozen Pizza, Cauliflower and Smoothies
Wednesday-TBD? More Cereal? More Taco Bell?
Thursday-Out for 9th wedding anniversary!
Friday-Dinner with friends
I live by myself so definitely a lot of cooking for one 🙂 This week I am making veggie quesadillas, pasta salad, pork chops, and most probably eggs 🙂 My latest favorite is French Style Scrambled Eggs http://www.confessionsofachocoholic.com/recipes/truffle-scrambled-eggs
those look delish!
I’m not sure I even remember how to cook for one anymore?! But it does sound dreamy…Washington Post Food section editor Joe Yonan just published a full book of recipes for one called Serve Yourself. I bet you could find some great inspiration there.
In the meantime, I continue to cook for the full brood. This week, I’m featuring a corn-centric menu. It’s here: http://www.weeklygreens.com/category/summer_2011/corn/
Enjoy!
I feel like we are living the same life this week. I am also on my own as my hubby & his family are off for a camping trip. I am also largely preggers, so I am really not up for it!
No menu really this week. I know I’ll probably eat out a bit more. Being on my own means I really don’t do well at planning ahead… especially if this is quite the opportunity to give into pregnancy cravings. Cereal for dinner? Of course!
I think we are living the same exact life this week!!! 🙂