Forums: April 2011 Kickstart Forum: Idea of converting recipes to single servings
Created on: 04/04/11 12:46 PM Views: 2425 Replies: 12
Bettina Joined: 04/04/11 Posts: 8	Idea of converting recipes to single servings Posted Monday, April 4, 2011 at 12:46 PM Dear PCRM and other KickStarters, The first thing I noticed was a recipe for 8 servings. Now as a person who is trying to lose weight, I find portion control one of my biggest hurdles. I will start out by converting the couscous recipe. It says to make enough for a "side" for tomorrow's dinner, which I can only interpret as one serving. Comments from PCRM staff on this detail are welcome. Please feel free to check and correct my math on the serving amounts. There are 16 tablespoons in a cup, and 3 teaspoons in a tablespoon. I will post the updated amounts in a separate thread. Bettina
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Bettina Joined: 04/04/11 Posts: 8	Oops, posted twice! Posted Monday, April 4, 2011 at 12:52 PM Oops, sorry, I posted this twice. Can a moderator delete one? Bettina
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jahra Joined: 03/31/11 Posts: 20	RE: Idea of converting recipes to single servings Posted Monday, April 4, 2011 at 12:56 PM Good question Bettina. For members on the kickstart diet alone, the single serving issue is important for many of us. I am looking forward to the replies...
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carolward99 Joined: 12/30/10 Location: Bryan, TX Posts: 27	RE: Idea of converting recipes to single servings Posted Monday, April 4, 2011 at 12:58 PM Bettina the recipes are not designed for one person. I have that problem too. Click on the header at top of todays meal plan is "21 day meal plan" and in the first paragraph there is a clickable "cooking for one" menu. May give you some ideas.
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Bugsmom Joined: 09/13/10 Posts: 2068	RE: Idea of converting recipes to single servings Posted Monday, April 4, 2011 at 1:30 PM Containers! There are two ways to handle cooking for one when the recipes are for many (since many folks on here are cooking for the family). First, you can reduce the recipe (just prepare one meal worth). Or, you can cook as indicated and portion it out into containers (fridge/freezer) and have leftovers for busy days. For example, when hubby makes chili, it's enough for a dozen servings or more (but there's only 3 of us). We pack the rest up into washed out peanut butter type glass jars. Since I've got a stove and microwave available here at work, it's a grab it and go lunch for me for the rest of the week. Especially for folks who have busy schedules, long commutes, etc. it's can be easier to make a batch of (whatever) and freeze portions so that you can have it one dinner per week for the next several weeks without any additional purchasing or cooking. --Deb R
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Bettina Joined: 04/04/11 Posts: 8	RE: Idea of converting recipes to single servings Posted Monday, April 4, 2011 at 2:38 PM Hi, Deb R, The whole point here is to make single servings. It's fine if you have lots of people to eat this stuff up, but that was not the focus of my posting - it's for those of us who have only one of us eating the food and not wanting to have tons of extra food around to tempt or to go to waste. So I'm inviting others to also convert some of the recipes to just enough for what they recommend. I converted the Couscous dish to 2 servings, because they want you to have one for today and one for tomorrow, and that leaves just enough. See the point? Cheers, Bettina Bugsmom wrote: Containers! There are two ways to handle cooking for one when the recipes are for many (since many folks on here are cooking for the family). First, you can reduce the recipe (just prepare one meal worth). Or, you can cook as indicated and portion it out into containers (fridge/freezer) and have leftovers for busy days. For example, when hubby makes chili, it's enough for a dozen servings or more (but there's only 3 of us). We pack the rest up into washed out peanut butter type glass jars. Since I've got a stove and microwave available here at work, it's a grab it and go lunch for me for the rest of the week. Especially for folks who have busy schedules, long commutes, etc. it's can be easier to make a batch of (whatever) and freeze portions so that you can have it one dinner per week for the next several weeks without any additional purchasing or cooking. --Deb R
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Bettina Joined: 04/04/11 Posts: 8	RE: Idea of converting recipes to single servings Posted Monday, April 4, 2011 at 2:40 PM carolward99 wrote: Bettina the recipes are not designed for one person. I have that problem too. Click on the header at top of todays meal plan is "21 day meal plan" and in the first paragraph there is a clickable "cooking for one" menu. May give you some ideas. Thanks, Carol! That is very helpful. I also like the conversion idea too, this gives us all more choices. I eagerly await seeing more conversions Bettina
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Bugsmom Joined: 09/13/10 Posts: 2068	RE: Idea of converting recipes to single servings Posted Monday, April 4, 2011 at 2:43 PM I got the point. My point was that rather than just 2 servings (one for today, one for tomorrow) you can do 6 or 8 servings (as indicated), have one for today, one in the fridge for tomorrow, and the rest portioned out for next week and the week after - for those times when the menu item is not something you (a) like (b) can get the ingredients for (c) have time to make fresh. The soups, especially, can keep for a few weeks in the freezer with no problem. --Deb R
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Bettina Joined: 04/04/11 Posts: 8	RE: Idea of converting recipes to single servings Posted Monday, April 4, 2011 at 3:42 PM Bugsmom wrote: I got the point. My point was that rather than just 2 servings (one for today, one for tomorrow) you can do 6 or 8 servings (as indicated), have one for today, one in the fridge for tomorrow, and the rest portioned out for next week and the week after - for those times when the menu item is not something you (a) like (b) can get the ingredients for (c) have time to make fresh. The soups, especially, can keep for a few weeks in the freezer with no problem. --Deb R Hi, Deb. Well, as I said, portion control is a problem for some of us. Obviously we could make the whole thing and save it, but that is entirely not the point - it's often better to have just enough and no more. That's why I'm reaching out to others who may also like to upload converted measurements for people who want to make single servings only. Have a great day, Bettina
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greenish Joined: 03/31/11 Posts: 53	RE: Idea of converting recipes to single servings Posted Monday, April 4, 2011 at 4:29 PM I'm looking at the recipe for dinner this evening, Hoppin' John Salad. And it makes TEN and 1/2 portions. I'll definitely be cutting down the recipe since it's just for me, but it's not a recipe that you'd want to freeze. So if you're trying to do this for one or even two people, it's kind of crazy. I'd like to see recipes that are a little friendlier for 1 or 2 people. Especially when you're looking at the first day.
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greenish Joined: 03/31/11 Posts: 53	RE: Idea of converting recipes to single servings Posted Monday, April 4, 2011 at 4:29 PM I'm looking at the recipe for dinner this evening, Hoppin' John Salad. And it makes TEN and 1/2 portions. I'll definitely be cutting down the recipe since it's just for me, but it's not a recipe that you'd want to freeze. So if you're trying to do this for one or even two people, it's kind of crazy. I'd like to see recipes that are a little friendlier for 1 or 2 people. Especially when you're looking at the first day.
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Bettina Joined: 04/04/11 Posts: 8	RE: Idea of converting recipes to single servings Posted Monday, April 4, 2011 at 6:03 PM Greenish, Carol's response above is quite helpful. She said: Quote: Click on the header at top of todays meal plan is "21 day meal plan" and in the first paragraph there is a clickable "cooking for one" menu. Regards, Bettina greenish wrote: I'm looking at the recipe for dinner this evening, Hoppin' John Salad. And it makes TEN and 1/2 portions. I'll definitely be cutting down the recipe since it's just for me, but it's not a recipe that you'd want to freeze. So if you're trying to do this for one or even two people, it's kind of crazy. I'd like to see recipes that are a little friendlier for 1 or 2 people. Especially when you're looking at the first day.
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jumpforjoy Joined: 09/06/10 Posts: 54	RE: Idea of converting recipes to single servings Posted Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 10:53 PM Cooking smaller portions is always a challenge. Sunday evening I cooked up a couple cups each of brown rice, Quinoa, and lentils. Then am able to make smaller amounts of what I want without cooking up a few grains. They last me for the week and am never without my favorite grains. www
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