Clever Cooking for One or Two

My mother always taught me not to throw away food. She reminded me of those less-fortunate, and it is a guilt that I still carry with me today. I cannot ever throw food away. Quite regularly my partner watches me in bemusement as I force-feed myself every last scrap of dinner.

When I heard about the release of Clever Cooking for One or Two a new cookbook by the trusted Dairy Cookbooks, based on recipes that have minimal wastage and are ideal for people living alone, or with another person, I was perplexed. Was this the answer? Cook less, plan better and therefore not feel the need to pile on guilty pounds of leftovers?

Clever Cooking for One or Two claims that at least 65 percent of all British households are occupied by only one or two people, and this includes small families. With social implications like the credit crunch and obesity, it now more important than ever that families and individuals are not wasting funds on takeaway meals and instead, are able to enjoy the nutritional value and comfort of good old home cooking.

Clever Cooking for One or Two is such a clever concept that I am surprised I had not heard about it sooner. The recipes are easy to follow, with rich and enticing photography. It is also very useful to take note of the little ‘cook’s and shopper’s tips’, which give you useful suggestions on things like how to use any leftover ingredients.

In particular the ham and green pea soup sounds ideal for a wintery night. Clever Cooking for One or Two suggests you use the leftover ham for your sandwiches. For Freeze Easy dishes, mushroom and stilton cannelloni in a tomato sauce looks easy enough. The top tip is freezing this dish uncooked. For desserts there are of course recipes for things like bread and butter pudding, naughty chocolate mousse, raspberry and lemon meringue nests, but recipes for slices like banana cake are fantastic for utilising overly ripe leftover bananas.

As much as I love to eat out, there really is no substitute for a home cooked meal. The Clever Cooking for One or Two cookbook means that singles, couples or small families do not have to worry about all the fuss that comes with cooking in small batches. Have a flip through the Clever Cooking for One or Two cookbook, and I am sure it will actually become one of the cookbooks on your kitchen shelf that you will actually use.

The new Clever Cooking for One or Two Dairy Cookbook is priced at £9.50 (plus £2, P&P). To order a copy or for further information call 0845 0948 128, speak to your local milkman or visit www.dairydiary.co.uk.

Jacklyn Swiecicki