1. Pork Chop with Cherry Tomatoes
For a quick and inexpensive meal (two key elements to cooking for one), a pork chop with cherry tomatoes is the ideal recipe—and a must-have in your favourites. Marinate the pork chop briefly in lemon, oregano and olive oil to tenderize it. Pan-fry it along with cherry tomatoes and diced zucchini. The meat will get juicy and flavoursome. An easy recipe to serve with pita bread and tzatziki.
2. Chicken Leg with Lime and Cilantro
Chicken can be cooked in 1,001 ways, starting with this one, in a marinade made of mayonnaise, lime and cilantro, which is also added during cooking. Using a single baking sheet, put a chicken thigh on one side and a mix of bell pepper and sweet potato on the other. Roast everything together gently in the oven. You also want to have lunch for the next day? The recipe can be doubled easily. A tasty way to cook chicken using very few dishes.
3. Chicken and Arugula Quesadilla
This croque monsieur type of sandwich is the ideal versatile recipe when you’re cooking for one. It allows you to use chicken leftovers (including pieces from our chicken recipe above) or any other meat, such as duck confit, ham or braised beef. In addition to the meat, the tortilla is stuffed with cheese, arugula and onion jam, which gives the dish a hint of sweetness. Just fold it in two and pan-fry it. A surprising dish that combines the best of French and Mexican cuisines.
30-MINUTE RECIPES
Chicken and Arugula Quesadilla
4. Mushroom and Almond Rigatoni
There’s nothing quite like pasta to make a satisfying meal with very little effort. This recipe uses a whole container of mushrooms, so there are no wasted vegetables slowly dying in the fridge. Brown them in a pan with onions, garlic and almonds for a generous garnish. White wine, pasta cooking water and Parmesan come together into a beautifully velvety sauce. You would never guess a dish this mouth-watering is vegetarian.
5. Seared Salmon with Ginger-Maple Sauce
As salmon fillets are sold individually, they’re ideal for a solo menu. Combine it with soy sauce and maple, and you’ll get a winner every time! Prepare a teriyaki-style sauce with rice vinegar and sesame oil. Want a little something extra? How about store-bought marinated ginger, a great shortcut in the kitchen? Cook bok choy in the pan along with the fish to save time and additional dishwashing. Serve this easy-peasy dish with rice or rice vermicelli. It’ll become one of your favourites in no time.
With these five wonderful recipe ideas, there’s much to be inspired when cooking for one.