Singles out there...

[hopefulcook]

Hi guys,
My Mum bought herself a TMX recently after seeing how much I love and use mine (with our family of 5). She is recently separated and not used to cooking for only herself.
Question... Any singles out there got any advice/tips on how I can get Mum using thermie more? She only uses for dips/dukkah when she has visitors and I really want her to love it as much as I do!! Thanks...

[Very Happy Jan]

Would it work for her to halve the standard recipes so they served 2 and freeze one serve. That way she could still try a variety of recipes and stock her freezer for the busy days.

[JaneeZee]

I've recently had a run of singles buying machines as they say it's boring cooking for one.  If she's busy then she can freeze portions & defrost them in the Varoma while she's steaming some veggies to go with whatever meat/main dish she's defrosting.  Otherwise challenge her to only using the TM for a week & to make something new every day.  That way she'll get some new recipes - all part of her new life!
Another idea & I don't know if this is do-able or not,  is there a school nearby with a canteen she might want to volunteer at that she could take her machine along to & "share" it with.........

[faffa_70]

Most recipes will halve successfully - reduce the cooking time by approx 20% that should give her some meals that aren't going to feed her for a week!

[judydawn]

Maybe Mum hasn't got the confidence to do much more than what she is making hopefulcook.  You know what she likes to eat so perhaps get the ingredients together, hop on over there to her place and show her how to make 1/2 quantity of something.  It is such a waste to have such a clever machine just sitting there waiting to have it's buttons pressed.  A loaf of bread or a batch of rolls - everyone needs that sort of thing in their freezer and with the cooler weather soon arriving, soups are a popular item for families and singles.  A batch of custard or rice pudding - she can always reheat it on a nightly basis or some ice-cream, these are the types of things even singles need in their fridge or freezer.

[andiesenji]

I'm single and have been for many years but I often have a guest for dinner or I cook something to take to one of my neighbors as sort of a mini potluck as I live in a small section of the community where there are a lot of singles, widows, etc., whose children are grown and away from home.

I cook most of the recipes as-is and freeze half, which gives me an "instant" meal for another day. 

Presently I'm making a batch of mushroom risotto and have a chicken braise with onions and carrots in the oven. 

She might just need some modest pushing to get her to try some of the recipes.

[cookie1]

I love Judy's idea. Maybe she could make a meal in her machine and then drop some to you. (if you are living close)
Perhaps she could cook up a batch of mince and freeze it in portions. Curry one, add tomato paste to one, make rissoles from another. As Judy said things like bread, cakes, biscuits etc can be made and frozen tobe eaten over a time. I  made a half batch of custard the other night as I found I had only one egg. It turned out fine.
Your Mum could make quite a few chicken things by putting the chicken in the varoma with the vegies and having different sauces on them. (Perhaps made before and frozen).
Good luck to your Mum. It must be difficult cooking for one.

[Penji]

I have found myself in the same position, I love cooking with my Bimby, but now find myself alone, the kids have left for Uni, and hubby away all week.  I stopped using the Bimby but missed it, so being a veggie, I started doing soups, curries, and puddings, would eat what I could from the fridge and what was left over the dogs helped out with, we are all eating well now and I think the dogs love the variety.  Since the kids left I got a border collie puppy and she will eat everything bar pickled onions.

Also since kids leaving my food bill has obviously dropped drastically so I find I have more money in the purse to experiment a bit as well for when hubby comes home.  Hope this helps.

[meganjane]

I think the key is to make a simple dish that can have variations added to change it.

A savoury mince becomes a small potato pie or a curry with rice. It can also become chilli con carne with spices and beans added to it or even spaghetti bolognaise sauce with added tomato paste and tinned tomatoes.
 
A chicken and vegie casserole can be curried or made into pies. Add egg to left over risotto and shape into patties for light frying.

I think a pie maker is a fantastic appliance in winter when you're making stews, just use rough puff or bought puff pastry and make pies with left overs.

If your mum can get hold of those aluminium foil containers, she can freeze left overs. They take up very little room and are ideal for a night where you can't be bothered cooking.

My sister lives alone and she often makes extras for the older bachelor next door or invites him for a meal (no strings attached!)