cooking for one

After YumSugar reader Dreamalittledream asked for some advice on cooking healthy for one, we got to thinking. It's definitely easier to stay committed to healthy cooking when you've got people to share it with — or a few mouths to feed! — but cooking for yourself need not be a lonely or trying experience. In need of some inspiration? Look no further. We've got you covered with five helpful tips:

1. Get that pantry stocked with good stuff. While your pantry can hold plenty of chips, cookies, and candy, it's time to make space for the new kids in town. Say good-bye to just sugar and white flour, and make new friends with ancient grains, dried beans, and delicious nuts. If you keep a solid assortment of these things you like, you'll never be in a bind for healthful and delicious choices.
2. Leftovers can be your friend, not your foe. I too know the hardships of looking at old leftovers in my fridge and doing my best to make them look delicious. Instead of just heating them up, think outside the box! If you have half of a chicken sandwich on bread or salad that's too soggy for your taste, heat up the chicken with some rice and vegetables. I typically make a big pot of soup at the beginning of the week that I enjoy all week long.

Want to learn more? Just keep reading.

Although there's nothing more rewarding then creating a delicious meal to share with friends and family, most of the time, I'm cooking for myself. The first step to cooking for one is to get over any fears of eating alone. Just because you are dining by yourself doesn't mean that you should eat cereal or ramen! Instead, treat yourself to a healthy and flavorful meal. Here's how I suggest you cook for one:

• Stock your pantry with staples like pasta, beans, and rice. These items don't go bad and can be used to cook multiple meals.
• Know what your personal portion size is. The first time you cook rice or pasta, make a note of how much you are cooking. For instance, I make 1/2 cup of rice and a quarter-size handful of spaghetti. Going forward, always cook that amount.
• If you like to follow recipes, look for recipes that have a smaller serving size. Recipes that serve four are easy to halve.

Keep reading for the rest of my helpful tips!

When I get tired of my open-faced fried egg sandwich, I like to make a different meatless meal that features the incredible, edible egg. It's a simple tortilla topped with cheese, avocado, and the fried egg. It's got a Tex-Mex spin thanks to the addition of pepper Jack cheese and spicy chipotle salsa. This recipe serves one but can easily be altered to feed your loved ones. It's fast, fresh, and delicious, so learn how it's done now.

• Why Sandra Lee is not evil. — Huffington Post Food
• Have you experienced the Indian tapa known as thalis? — Good Bite
• Learn how to sous-vide a chicken breast. — Serious Eats
• Prepare a menu with recipes from Top Chef Masters. — Chow
• What's the best burger in the Bay Area?— Eater SF
• The science behind cilantro hatred. — The Epi-Log
• The joy of cooking alone. — The Atlantic
• Guy Fieri's guide to entourage management. — Ozersky TV

Do you live alone? Are you a vegetarian? If you answered yes to both of those questions, I suggest you consider this omelet for dinner tonight. It's a perfectly healthy and delicious meal for one.

In this recipe, the filling is a mixture of garlic, tomatoes, spinach, and black olives, but an omelet can be made with just about any vegetable, herb, or cheese, so use the technique and get creative with the ingredients. To look at the simple and straight-forward method, read more