I've kind of gained a reputation in my circle of friends as someone who can't cook, which I feel is unfair—it's not that I can't do it, just that most of the time I don't think it's the effort because buying ingredients for just one person is expensive and anyway there are so many great and affordable places to eat within a five block radius of my apartment. And, you know, washing dishes really sucks. At least I know I'm not alone; Emily Shartin of the Boston Globe, has a piece today on singling out meals to cook for just one:
Take-out meals, microwave dinners, and prepared foods are readily available these days, so cooking a homemade meal for one can seem like too much trouble or can seem even more expensive to make than a prepared meal. There is the challenge of buying ingredients -- many shoppers lament the fact that fresh vegetables are not sold in smaller portions. There are fears about a lack of kitchen skills. There is the time commitment. It all adds up to the view that it can be easier, even for families, to order out. And of course, there are the dirty dishes.
In reality, it's a lot of effort," says Andrew Urbanetti, who is the chef de cuisine at Lumiere in Newton and teaches several classes, including one called "Cooking for One" at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education. But he and others believe the effort is worth it. While a homemade meal might not always cost less, it is likely to be better for you. "You know exactly what goes into your food," says Urbanetti, who also believes it is important for people to have basic kitchen skills."
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