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Dining for Two

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, dining for two is a romantic way to spend an evening with a loved one. But many recipes often serve four or more. So here are a few creative tips to make dining for two a special treat every day of the year.

• Take turns preparing and sharing meals with family or friends.

• Re-invent leftovers:

Leftover ham can be used in an omelet, sandwich, or in scalloped potatoes.

Roast a chicken and use the leftover meat on a salad or in quesadillas or mix it up with some light mayo and chopped veggies for chicken salad sandwiches.

Leftover chili can be used on a baked potato.

• If you prepare larger amounts of meat, soup, stew, chili or casseroles, freeze smaller portions for later (Be sure to date and store them properly. .A general rule of thumb is refrigerated leftovers may be kept for one to three days and frozen leftovers may be kept for one to three months.)

• Buy in bulk and share.

• If you don’t like chopping veggies, purchase prepackaged produce like baby carrots and bagged lettuce.  It’s more expensive, but it’s still cheaper and healthier than eating out.

• Look for cookbooks that have recipes designed for one or two. 

Here’s a handy guide for cutting recipes in half:

If a recipe calls for                               Use

1/4 cup                                               2 Tbsp

1/3 cup                                               2 Tbsp + 2 tsp

1/2 cup                                               1/4 cup

2/3 cup                                               1/3 cup

3/4 cup                                               6 Tbsp

1 Tbsp                                                1 1/2 tsps

1 tsp                                                    1/2 tsp

1/2 tsp                                                 1/4 tsp

large egg                                          small egg or just the egg white

Sources: Oklahoma State University, Colorado State University