IntroductionOne Pot One Portion is the book for people who cook, eat, or live alone and are tired of washing up.
In a culinary world that caters for families, couples, or large gatherings, we seem to have overlooked the solo cook. With recipes almost always for four or more, those of us who cook for just ourselves must either fill our freezers, feed our friends, or be forced to endure reheated spaghetti bolognese for the next three days. Don’t get me wrong, batch cooking can be a great resourceful way of preparing food, but no matter how much you love shepherd’s pie, it’s hard to find joy in the monotony of eating from the same Pyrex dish every night, and this is only amplified when you’re the only one eating. Not to mention, if you’re cooking for yourself, you’re also always on clean-up duty. This is where
One Pot One Portion comes in.
But where did it all start? Not too long ago I quit my job to pursue a career in food, ended my long-term relationship, and began living by myself. The simultaneous occurrence of these three events meant that, despite cooking being my biggest and most long-lasting passion, I found myself not wanting to cook for myself due, in part, to tiresome and unappetizing leftovers and the seemingly endless mountains of dishes. I realized that one-portion recipes weren’t enough; they had to be one pot too. As bread is to butter or crumble is to custard, one pot is to one portion; they make sense together.
Though I created the series for myself initially, I started sharing the recipes online too. The response was truly overwhelming and showed me just how many people out there are in the same predicament and that we all want to eat well!
So, whether you live alone or simply find yourself cooking for one from time to time, this book is from me to you. Though you might end up making these recipes for loved ones, primarily I have written this for you. From one solo cook to another, I truly hope you find something in this book that encourages you to spend time on yourself, and for yourself, making a meal that will bring you joy.
Copyright © 2025 by Eleanor Wilkinson. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.