Shopper Diva

Personalized Gift Ideas for Singles: Coffee Mugs

2011-11-20T19:36:00.006-05:00

One can never have too many coffee mugs! For Black Friday / Cyber Monday, take 25% off your order + free shipping. Take advantage now! Valid midnight the day after Thanksgiving 11/25-11/28/11. The perfect gift for singles!

Personalize this red Snow Day coffee mug. Check out the green mug also.

Also, check out this lovely Blue Snowscapes mug.

Isn't this Present coffee mug so much fun?

How about a festive red Ornament mug? Ready to personalize!

Remember, you 25% off + free shipping for Black Friday! Get ready to shop in the comfort of your own home and avoid the nasty and unbearable crowds!

My last pick is this elegant but simple Evening Snowfall coffee mug. Personalize it and you have a solid gift! Pair it up with a complementary Evening Snowfall frame, and now you have a gift set with 25% off + free shipping!

***Get updated Black Friday / Cyber Weekend deals HERE. ***

Happy Holidays from The Single Kitchen!

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Top Five Kitchen Tools for Singles

2011-11-11T18:44:00.003-05:00

For singles, making a recipe for four isn't always practical. These kitchen gadgets are single-meal friendly and will help create varied meals during the week. And the best part is dessert: make fresh whipped cream in minutes! Actually, the best part is that these make great gifts because they're affordable - most are well under $50!

Check out the top five for the single kitchen:

A stick, hand-held blender whips up the best whipped cream - the homemade kind! It makes quick soups too - perfect for a light winter lunch.

Make your own bread, whip up pesto, chop veggies, nuts, and more with a handy food processor. It takes only seconds to chop and mix stuff! This is by far the most versatile of all kitchen tools.

Cooking without the high price-tag! Shop Cooks Essentials, Temp-tations®, Technique & more! Expires 12-6-11

The easiest, cheesiest grilled cheese sandwich awaits the single chef with an indoor grill. The versatility is up to the chef's imagination.

Choppping, dicing, blending, and pureeing couldn't be easier with the The Ninja Master Prep Professional Food & DrinkMaker. In addition, crush ice, make frozen drinks and desserts in a cinch. A versatile gift that will be a welcome addition to any kitchen, single or not!

Coffee makers, blenders, griddles & more. Whip up your favorite foods with a Black & Decker appliance!

For the serious latte/cappuccino drinker, skip Starbucks and save tons of $$$ by making your own frothy specialty every so often. Perfect for the countertop, this frother is ready when ever you are!

Select Kitchen Tools are under $25! These items will not last long - Expires 11-30-11!

Happy Holidays from The Single Kitchen!

Summer Kitchen Mini Makeover

2011-06-23T19:30:00.003-04:00

It's good to refresh your kitchen look every now and then; makes it more interesting when you live alone or are single. Take advantage of summer sales and give your kitchen a mini-makeover. I found some various, cool accessories to perk up your kitchen - check it out!

A quick and inexpensive way to add some color to your kitchen is with table coverings, such as this diamond-quilted tablerunner.

To create an elegant but inexpensive table decor, consider getting this set of four placemat set to match the tablerunner.

Here's a wild set of four animal print placemats and a tablerunner that is sure to spice up your kitchen in a jiffy!

Animal print not your color? Or perhaps you'd like to get more out of placemats? I stumbled across this multi-purpose placemat set that you can do three things with: serve, eat on, and clear the table!

Whimsical kitchen towels are an easy and inexpensive way to refresh your kitchen. Enjoy a margarita at the poolside or imagine yourself at a retreat oasis everytime you dry the dishes!

For the guys, set sail with a nautical-themed kitchen towel or host a bbq in your kitchen:

Another one for the ladies, take a look at this bright floral kitchen towel:

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Comments / questions welcome.

Fast & Easy Recipe for One: Kale Pesto & Spaghetti

2011-05-24T19:09:00.016-04:00

Recipes for singles that are also quick and easy to make are far and few between. I came up with this delicious recipe and wanted to share it with you; it's a variation on Spaghetti al'Oglio (an Italian dish using parsley instead of the kale we'll use here). Kale is a super hero in the vegetable kingdom; the leafy greens contain fiber, calcium, vitamins A, C, and K, and more. This simple recipe also provides essential omega-3 and protein.

This recipe is best and quickest made with a food processor.

It will take only seconds to prepare the pesto this way and minutes to cook it/heat it. You can make enough for 1 serving or 3 or more (freeze the rest). Let's get started.

What you need (for approx. 1-3 servings):

Spaghetti (thin is my favorite because it cooks faster and is easier to eat); get a good Italian one, like De Cecco.

4-6 large Kale leaves with top half of stalks - roughly break them into pieces.

2-5 cloves of garlic (depending on your taste for garlic), roughly chopped.

Red pepper flakes (the pic above is showing cayenne, sorry).

1-2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil.

2-6 fillets of anchovies (I like the ones made in Italy): If you're not a particular fan of anchovies, I can tell you that they will practically disintegrate when grinding them in the food processor along with the kale and garlic; you won't even know they're there. but they have omega-3 as well as protein and provide a wonderful meaty flavor.
Note on above pic: the anchovies look awfully big in this picture and so probably not as appetizing, but they're really small actually. I will get another picture soon and replace it - don't want to scare you all off!

What to do:

Fill a pot about three quarters of the way with water.

Once the water comes to a full boil, add a dash of salt taking care not to add too much, as the anchovies are salt-laden.

Then add the spaghetti (I add about a quarter of the pack which will yield 1-2 servings).

Push the spaghetti down into the water with a wooden spoon until it is fully immersed.

Stir often or the pasta will stick to the bottom of the pot.

The spaghetti will cook about 10-13 min - check the box for the exact cooking time.

In the meantime:

Put the kale, garlic, anchovies, crushed red pepper, and olive oil into the food processor and pulse for a few seconds at a time until the kale and garlic are cut up into tiny pieces. You will hardly see the anchovies after this. The mixture should resemble loosely resemble pesto.

Heat a pan using medium heat and add a dash of extra virgin olive oil. When heated, add the pesto mixture and spread in the pan with a wooden or silicone spoon (to avoid scratching the pan).

Oops - the above pic is actually the Spaghetti al'Oglio (w/parsley) I made a while back. I will update with the right pics, but wanted to give you an idea of what it looks like.

Optional: add a touch of dry vermouth or white wine and mix in. Careful to remove the pan from the fire before adding alcohol. Return pan to the fire soon after. Salt-free or low sodium chicken broth will also add a nice flavor to the dish. You could also add some of the pasta water (once the pasta is done cooking).

Optional: Add a dash more of red pepper flakes (depending on your tolerance for heat).

Back to the pasta:

Taste the pasta to make sure it is al dente (firm, not too soft).

If ready, remove from heat and drain in a collander. Optional: before draining, save a little water to add to the kale pesto.

Add the pasta to the pan and mix in with the kale pesto.

After a few minutes of tossing the spaghetti together with the kale pesto, it is now ready to serve.

How to serve:

Spoon spaghetti/kale pesto into a bowl and top with freshly grated parmesan cheese.

Optional: Serve with a glass of white wine.

Tip: For additional protein, prepare a side of tofu or chicken.

Variation: Make it with penne pasta instead of spaghetti!

More Tips:

To make the dish more moist, you could also add tomato sauce.

Instead of adding plain garlic, you could pre-chop the garlic and cook it in butter for a few moments. Remove from heat and let the butter caramelize while you cook the kale/anchovies. Return the garlic/butter mixture to the pan and mix well. The flavor is amazing!

Buon appetito!

Check out more recipes using a food processor.

You might also like:

Baked Ziti with Black Beans and Food Pairings

Remember this tip - cooking is about creativitiy, going through your pantry and trying different combinations of foods, and some common sense. Go ahead - cook!

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Single Girl's Weekly Grocery Shopping Plan: Week of March. 13, 2011

2011-03-13T15:34:00.005-04:00

Similar to my weekly eating plan, I'm starting to post my grocery shopping list in the hopes that it will organize the way I shop (avoid wasted food, shop smarter, etc) and give you, the single girl or guy, ideas and inspiration for your grocery shopping.

Since I no longer have a Cosco membership (just too expensive for the small amount of food I buy), I have had to adjust my previous grocery shopping habits. I have been going to Fairway or Waldbaums or my local neighborhood stores. It's sometimes frustrating how one store has better bananas than another store or better green peppers; also, the price differential can sometimes be almost staggering.

To see how I plan my meals with these foods and others in my pantry, check out my weekly meal plan. _______________________________________________
Fruit/Vegetable - Fairway's produce is expensive; even non-organic produce.

Basically, I bought:
- fresh parsley,
- a small amount of loose spinach (they recently raised the price a whole dollar)
- 1 small container each of raspberries and blueberries (they do tend to have decent prices on berries)
- 2 grapefruit
- 3 oranges
- Bag of baby carrots

Dairy
- Fairway's organic nonfat milk
- Fairway's large, omega-3 eggs (cage-free is too darn expensive, and not guaranteed to be truly cage-free [in the true sense of how we humans would interpret living and working in a cage-free environment for ourselves]) - sounds so silly, but...

Frozen
- Amy's Texas Veggie Burger
- Amy's Whole Meal Cheese Enchilada

Interior Aisles
- Almond Milk
- Organic instant oatmeal
- Almond-stuffed olives (a small amount; they also raised the price by a whole dollar last year) - what happened to $.25 price increases?
- Marshmallows - I had bought graham crackers at Waldbaums and have mini chocolate chips that I wanted to make s'mores with.

I generally buy double the amount of groceries at Fairway, but I was there 3 weeks ago and also went to Waldbaums last week; so I'm good for a couple of weeks, except for produce replenishment.

You might also like: Single Person's Grocery Shopping List

What We Eat When We Eat Alone

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This Spring Host a Singles Picnic Event

2011-02-24T20:22:00.008-05:00

This spring, get ready to take your kitchen outdoors. Host a picnic event, whether with other single friends or a special someone. If you love hosting holiday parties, then you will enjoy organizing a picnic. Let's go!

Picnics have become trendy and for good reason. They are an economical way for friends to get together and enjoy the fresh air. Grab a picnic basket, from which there are many styles to choose from (believe it or not), and build your "menu" from there.
Wine, crackers, and cheese are not the only items to take along, although they would suffice for me. Innovative picnic backpacks can hold these items and then some (don't forget the china). Look for foods that transport well and will not spoil easily; leave the smoked salmon at home or place it in a bag with ice packs. Pasta salad is another picnic classic.

On the same note, create a wonderful experience for someone you are seeing with a low-key romantic picnic. Make it a personal experience by preparing foods yourself. Or if you are somewhat challenged in the kitchen, just the basics will do, along with some chocolate (ok, that is just my personal preference).

Either way, make it a point to spend a good deal of time outdoors this spring. Picnics are a fun and affordable way to do just that. Get creative with the concept of a picnic event and roll with it.

Valentine's Day Kitchen Gadget Gift Ideas in the Red

2011-02-06T09:19:00.006-05:00

These Valentine's Day whimsical gift ideas for the kitchen are perfect to share with your single friends and loved ones. Kitchen gadgets are versatile and fun to receive as gifts. Be a single girl's or guy's valentine this year!

To be updated with new product findings - stay tuned!

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Baked Ziti with Black Beans

2011-01-17T14:35:00.009-05:00

The following recipe was put together from whatever ingredients I had on hand that weren't yet expired. Such is the state of the single kitchen sometimes. Recipes for singles are difficult to come by. The best advice, if you don't want to eat the same meal for an entire week, is to simply freeze some of the portions from a 4- or 6-serving recipe.

Here is the easy peasant / tuscan style recipe; makes 4-5 servings (you could eat for the whole work week; just refrigerate, then microwave to heat).

Ingredients:

Casserole dish - 8x8 or 9x13 or 2qt or whatever you have on hand that's a decent size.

1/2 package of penne pasta. Go whole wheat, it's healthier. Also, I made the mistake of making an entire 16 oz package and ended up having to portion out a good chunk to freeze, as all the pasta with the other ingredients wouldn't fit in the casserole dish.

1/2 to 3/4 can of organic black beans (or kydney beans). Doesn't have to be organic, but again, healthier. Also, adjust the amount of beans according to how much you like beans. They are an excellent protein source.

On my second making of this dish, I added 1/2 can of corn that had been sitting in the pantry for entirely too long. Not a bad addition but actually I wouldn't add this again. Frozen peas, on the other hand, do belong here.

Olive oil - to coat the casserole dish and the pasta; and at the end, to lightly douse the top of the baked ziti before putting it into the oven.

Parmesan cheese - grated Parmigiana Reggiano or Pecorino Romano to give it that authentic Italian flavor.

Mascarpone cheese - Italian sweet cream cheese used traditionally for making Tiramisu. I happened to buy a tub and didn't know what to do with it besides spreading it on a bagel (yum).

Ricotta Salata cheese - actually, use mozzarella instead, but I had bought some Greek Ricotta Salata to try and decided to add it to the dish. It's creamy, salty, and a bit crumbly (almost like feta). It wasn't bad at all.

Vegetable stock - or whatever stock you have on hand; water works too. Even better is if you can remember to reserve some of the pasta water out of the pot right before you dump the pasta into the colander.

Tomato sauce - a small jar of whatever one you like; homemade is best though.

Bread crumbs

Directions

To cook the pasta: In a medium to large pasta pot, bring water to a boil (fill the pot to about 1/2 to 3/4 full. Before throwing the pasta in, first add a good dash of salt. Stir the pasta every so often so they don't stick to each other and to the pot. Follow cooking time directions on the pasta box; however, since the dish will finish in the oven, cook the pasta to about al dente or right before that. Drain the pasta into a colander, then place drained pasta into the greased casserole dish and add a bit more olive oil to coat the pasta (to keep them from sticking together). Easy with the olive oil though!
Next, and this is optional, but it adds a creamy texture to the dish: coat the pasta again with the mascarpone cheese. This cheese is not as dense as the American cream cheese and so will spread a bit easier. Mix well to coat. This is why you should be extra careful with the amount of olive oil you coat the pasta with; otherwise, the cheese may not stick to the pasta.
Then, add the sauce and mix into the pasta.
Add the black beans and mix in.
At this point, depending on the thickness of the tomato sauce, you could add a bit of the reserved pasta water, stock, or plain water being careful that you don't make it too runny. The dish will dry out some in the oven which is why a little liquid is necessary.
Add the shredded mozzarella or other cheese you have on hand (I used jack cheese the first time around).
Mix all the ingredients for even distribution.
Sprinkle with bread crumbs and grated parmesan cheese on top.
Lightly douse the top with olive oil for a crispy and crunchy texture on top.

Place the dish, uncovered, in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 30-45 min., depending on your oven. Check the dish after about 30 min to see if the top has browned some. If it looks brown in some spots and looks crunchy, it's done! Garnish with some fresh chopped basil leaves, if available.

Enjoy with a glass of a good type of Chianti (a favorite among the Italian red wines). But any good wine of your choosing and which you have on hand will do just fine.
Check out: The Pleasures of Cooking for One

Tip: Lots of cooks out there will tell you how easy it is to prepare a meal. The chefs on the Food Network, for instance, swear by how easy their recipes are. Let's clear up this misconception. Yes, recipes are easy IF all the ingredients are purchased, cleaned, prepared and set in small bowls ahead of time, ready for you to "easily" make said recipe. Then, and only then, is cooking easy. Anyone can follow directions. It's the other components that are sometimes aggravating.

Also, subsitutions play a huge role in "easy" cooking. If you are missing a classic ingredient to a recipe, use the next best thing in your pantry or fridge. Don't sweat it.

Here's to a take-out free 2011...or something like that.

Buon appetito! Also, check out pizza for singles.

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Kitchen Christmas Gift Idea for the Single Girl or Guy

2010-11-28T15:59:00.007-05:00

Cookbooks that are centered on the theme of cooking for one make great and thoughtful gifts for the singleton in your life. Making it less lonely to eat alone by serving up wonderfully fulfilling recipes is what these books promote. Check out these picks below:

This cookbook highlights easy, satisfying and whole food recipes as well as helpful information on grocery shopping, storing, and freezing.

For the more simple yet sophisticated single dweller who entertains as well as cooks for herself: cooking tools needed are minimal and recipes to be had are delectable.

Getting real with real food includes helpful tips on what to creatively do with leftovers.

For the single girl or guy who is health conscious and doesn't want a lot of fuss in the kitchen, get these Low-Fat Recipes with Half the Fuss and Double the Taste. Simple and down to earth "techniques" are laid out here for making wholesome food fast.

Now you can make the beloved recipes that you have been steering clear of in order to avoid leftovers for days on end. Simple Meals to Savor When You're on Your Own will also have you ditching the takeout and baking your own pizza instead and in just the right amount for you.

When you find yourself alone in the kitchen with an eggplant, you don't feel so alone! That's because this book, "Alone in the Kitchen with an Eggplant" features essays from a myriad of writers on their experiences and "confessions" of cooking, eating, and dining alone. Those singletons living in tight quarters will especially like the read.

Have you wondered how the other half lives? What do singletons eat when they're alone? "What We Eat When We Eat Alone" is a looking glass into people's relationships with food as well as 100 recipes that will have you feeling less lonely about eating alone.

***Get Black Friday / Cyber Weekend deals HERE.*** Shop from the comfort of your home!

Happy Holidays from The Single Kitchen!

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Kitchen Gadget Christmas Ornaments

2010-11-26T20:07:00.009-05:00

Gift ideas for the kitchen enthusiast! These adorable ornaments make the perfect stocking stuffer for the single girl or guy.

Spatula kitchen gadget ornament from the Gingerbread Kisses Collection (pictured below).

How about a sieve kitchen gadget ornament? This little guy is adorable, from the Gingerbread Kisses Boy Collection.

This one's perfect for the baker! A kitchen mixing spoon, Gingerbread Treats.

Even more adorable is this rolling pin kitchen ornament, Gingerbread Sweets.

Utensil ornaments are fun and whimsical; get a fork ornament from the Kitchen Collection.

Or get the spoon ornament!

Black Friday Sale! Up to 80% Off! One Day Only! Click for Details

Get 5% OFF your entire order Use coupon code: TAKE5OFF
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Happy Holidays from The Single Kitchen!

Black Friday @ The Single Kitchen: Small Kitchen Appliances

2010-11-25T19:23:00.007-05:00

***See more of the latest Black Friday offerings here.***

Kitchen gadgets and small kitchen appliances are versatile and make wonderful gifts. Enjoy these special Black Friday savings only at The Single Kitchen!

For small kitchen appliance gift ideas, you can't go wrong with a multi-tasker like the stand mixer. Get your very own KitchenAid stand mixer and more or get it as a Christmas gift for someone special and Get $30 Off $200 Shipments! Use Coupon Code C94833. This BLACK FRIDAY deal ends 11/30/10. Don't miss it!

Now through Christmas 2010, enjoy FREE SHIPPING on Orders of $89 or More! Use Coupon Code: C97978.

SPECIAL SALE!
KitchenAid 5-qt. Pro Line Pro 5 Plus Stand Mixer, White. Regular Price $319. NOW $259.99!!! (pictured below). Sale ends Dec. 16, 2010 so act now! Bake your favorite holiday treats or make your own pasta. The possibilities are endless.
>>Click on text links, not pictures!
Need a larger 6-Quart KitchenAid Mixer instead? Get a professional series KitchenAid 6-qt. Pro Line Stand Mixer, Onyx Black (pictured below). Regular Price $499. NOW $389.95. Sale ends Dec. 16, 2010 so act now!

***Is this post outdated? See more of the latest Black Friday offerings here.***

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Happy Holidays!

Eco-Friendly Grocery Shopping Online: Fresh Fish

2010-11-09T19:29:00.005-05:00

Sustainable seafood is within your reach. And vital information, such as where the fish came from and under what conditions it was harvested are now available when you buy seafood online. Choose reputable companies who readily disclose these details and offer tracking information for the fish you buy.

As a single grocery shopper, you are often faced with food spoiling because it is more economical to buy "family-size" products. And even if you try to buy only small-size or individual-size items, you aren't always given this choice in product size availability. The freezer is practically the only defense against throwing your money away on rotted or expired food. One smart use for your freezer is to store a majority of the food you buy, such as when you order seafood online. There are tons of recipes online that will help you prepare fish in all sorts of ways.

If you prefer eating seafood out on the town and are concerned about sustainability practices, look for restaurants that are actively revising their menus (it's a slow process), such as Red Lobster. They eliminated an over-harvested fish (swordfish) from their menu and will hopefully continue to revise the menu and monitor where they purchase their fish.

Purchasing and consuming eco-friendly caught or farmed fresh fish is one step in the direction we need to go.

The Kitchen Table Christmas Tree

2010-11-07T17:30:00.013-05:00

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Scroll down for a Black Friday special!

So your apartment is small and you don't want to give up any precious space for a floor-size Christmas tree; then get a table-top Christmas tree. They come in a variety of designs and colors so you could decorate your kitchen table and every table with one or two. Perhaps this will motivate you to eat at your kitchen table instead of in front of the television, at least for the holidays. Go ahead, give it a try!
Note: pictures are not links; click on bolded text.

Traditional Christmas decor is my favorite, like this Hydrangea Pine table-top Christmas tree (pictured below), which stands at 2 feet. Look at the gold pot, isn't it pretty? I like the details on this tree. It stores easily; the only thing you have to do is shape it when you take it out of the box.

Ooh, this one is so cool; blue red, and green lights light up this Lighted Icy Crystal table-top Christmas tree (pictured below). It stands just above a foot at 13".

Bring the magic of the Christmas season into your home with just a simple touch like these Multi-sized Silver Glitter Table-Top Christmas trees (pictured below). Aren't they lovely?
This Candy Cake Table-Top Christmas tree is the perfect ornament for your kitchen counter or table (pictured below). Another nice traditional set of multi-sized decor, this Holly Leaf Table-Top Christmas tree set (pictured below) will warm up any room you place these in. There's plenty more Table-Top Christmas Trees and other Christmas decor. Take 5% off your order with code TAKE5OFF.

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Happy Holidays!

Two Breakfast Meal Ideas for Singles

2010-11-04T15:23:00.005-04:00

Some of us singletons don't like to eat solitary, let alone cook. But breakfast is the easier of the three meals to make at home. As singles, we Try these simple and delicious breakfast ideas; they're my favorites.

Simple Toast, Jam & Egg:

Toast 1-2 slices of whole wheat bread and spread with a gourmet jam, such as a wild blueberry jam that's packed with healthy anti-oxidants.
Grind (in a coffee grinder; coffee grinders are wonderful multi-tasking gadgets) 1 tsp of flax seeds (you can grind up more and keep it in the freezer or refrigerator for a few days). Sprinkle the flax seeds on top of the jam on the toast to get your omega-3s (ALA). Note: You still need the other two types of omega 3s (from cold water fish) to get the full benefit of this fatty acid.
Hardboil/softboil or fry an egg or two; I like to fry the egg, as it just tastes better that way.
Enjoy with a favorite beverage (cappuccino, almond milk, latte, hazelnut milk, espresso, regular coffee, oj, etc). Espresso makers are fast and easy; save $$$ on your Starbucks run. Create a cappuccino or latte in seconds with a nifty milk frother.

Boost the flavor and texture of your favorite pancake batter (whole grain would be great here) with these wonderful ingredients:

Shredded coconut flakes (unsweetened)
Ground flax seeds (about a tablespoon for 4-6 pancakes)
Almonds, pecans, or hazelnuts
Sunflower seeds
Lemon (adds a bright flavor)
Vanilla extract (only the pure kind)
Raspberries or blueberries
Mini chocolate chips (semi-sweet)-just a few!

Mix in a bowl. Heat the pancake griddle (pancake griddles are a must for even-cooked pancakes and french toast; cook your eggs too!). Top with fresh fruit, such as bananas, strawberries or blackberries.

Make enough for 2-3 days; pancakes keep well in the refrigerator; just cover with plastic or aluminum foil. To reheat, transfer pancakes from the refrigerator-cold dish to a room temperature dish and microwave two pancakes at 40 seconds to one minute or until warm enough to eat. Drizzle with agave nectar or real maple syrup.

Tip: Before microwaving, leave the pancakes out for a few minutes to get the chill off.

Don't skimp on the ingredients; treat yourself to the good stuff. You are eating alone and should make every meal a gourmet meal. Enjoy it while you can. This shouldn't break the budget assuming you live alone. Depending on the item, purchasing things in bulk for economical reasons sometimes backfires on us as we end up throwing away rotted food. But that's another article.

I would love to hear your breakfast ideas. I have been stuck on these two for a while; but they always satisfy! Stay tuned for pictures! Subscribe to The Single Kitchen for posts (and only posts) delivered straight to you.

Kitchen Christmas Gift Ideas for Singles

2010-10-23T15:19:00.012-04:00

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Holiday gift-buying for singles can sometimes pose a challenge because singles, particularly those who live alone, are independent. This means we know what we like and have our own style. However, don't fret too much about what to get that single guy or girl. He will (or should) appreciate your thoughtful gesture just the same.
*Note: pictures are not links; click on bolded text.

Go for whimsical gifts for the kitchen if that someone has been living on her own for quite some time and is established in her dwelling (meaning: she has everything already).

Some singles don't cook as often due to hectic schedules. They may order take out more often than is advisable. Give them something that's quick and easy to make; plus it's perfect for winter evenings. This specialty soup gift set consists of Farmers’ Market Vegetable Soup, Italian Wedding Soup, Aged Cheddar Beer Crackers and Sea Salt Crackers. See picture below.

If there's one thing we singles love to do on a weekend, it's go to brunch. But on a cold morning, friends can gather in the comfort of home for a leisurely start to the day and enjoy brunch made by the cooking enthusiast. This is a lovely brunch gift basket (pictured below) complete with chic jams, such as Mimosa Brunch, Kir Royale Brunch, and Bellini Brunch. Lots of other fun brunch items are included.
Check out this holiday gift guide for more tasty gift ideas.

Let's Talk Kitchen Appliances

2010-10-17T21:43:00.004-04:00

Not a frequent topic on this blog is the topic of kitchen appliances. Actually, this is the first post addressing such a necessity. Today's appliances are more energy-efficient than ever before. This saves you money and preserves the strained energy resources we rely on so much.

And stretching the dollar is a priority for many of us in this dragging economy. Kitchen appliances give us freedom to cook and try new recipes, to preserve home-made foods or leftovers, and to cook healthier.

My mother has a freezer that primarily stores containers of her home-made tomato sauce that she makes in late summer. The sauce lasts her all year. Today's appliances are versatile and more technologically advanced which make cooking on kitchen ranges, for example, a vastly different experience from just a few decades ago. Cooking for optimal health is easier today with a variety of recipes that can be cooked on grills.

All these features of kitchen appliances are often taken for granted or even overlooked in today's quick-moving society where going out to eat and ordering takeout prevail. You demand updated technology that is both energy-efficient and money-saving in every way possible, so now it's time to get the full use out of your appliances.

Christmas 2010: Tableware Classics

2010-10-14T21:10:00.014-04:00

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Even as a single person, I like to decorate my home for the holidays. Tableware is an inexpensive way to add a decorative holiday touch without going overboard if you prefer not to have much Christmas decor. For holiday dinner parties, the options are both affordable and tasteful.

Bargains are plentiful nowadays; and you can still get quality products. Tablerunners are one of those bargain items, as you're paying for less material and still get a wonderful table setting. Being a fan of the Nutcracker ballet, I like this Nutcracker tapestry tablerunner (pictured below).

This Poinsettia table runner (pictured below) will pair well with the real thing, unless you have cats, of course.

Check out these adorable ornament napkin rings (pictured below). This accessory makes a fine addition to any holiday table and would be a lively conversation starter for dinner parties.

CYBER MONDAY DEAL, ENDS 12/1/10: FREE Shipping & SAVE 20% on your $40 order of all the items above and more.

More lovely holiday tableware for those dinner parties you plan to throw:

This is a lovely pattern called Winter Forest (pictured below):

Old World Christmas never goes out of style in this quaint Christmas plateware set (pictured below): More vintage Christmas tableware.

Also, check out Table-Top Christmas Trees and save 5%.

***Is this post outdated? Get updated Black Friday deals here.***

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Individual Pizzas - Fast Meal Idea for Singles

2010-04-13T18:06:00.001-04:00

As a single guy or girl, you're either tired of ordering out or you're looking to make some of your own food as a healthy alternative. You would make your own pizza if it was quick and easy, wouldn't you? If I'm in the mood for pizza, and I order a whole pie, not only would I have to finish off the whole pie in a matter of 2-3 days, but I would also enlarge my carbon footprint by dumping a cardboard box (which will hopefully get recycled, but who knows). In addition, I find it so rewarding to make my own meals; at least I know what goes in it and who prepares it (me!).

See if you like the following recipe I thought about improvising before heading out to the gym. After my workout, I headed to my local superette to purchase pizza dough ($.75). It would be enough for three individual pizzas. I then went to my local grocer and purchased a couple of vine tomatoes ($1.49/lb), a fresh bouquet of basil ($1.99), and baby portabello mushrooms ($2.00). I had shredded mozzarella in the freezer which I had placed in the fridge before leaving for the gym. Other stuff I already had at home was dried thyme (for the mushrooms), oregano, olive oil, and an extra special ingredient I had on hand: olive tapenade.

The great thing about making pizza is its flexibility in ingredients. If you are missing one of the ingredients I use, then see what else you can use. Maybe there's a vegetable that needs cooking pretty soon or it will spoil. Be creative.

While I can't offer measurements in the way of teaspoons and whatnot, it's not hard to feel out how much of something to add, e.g., a pinch of thyme for the mushrooms. Ok, so here's my take on individual pizzas that you can freeze if you decide to make the whole dough at once. This recipe is for one pizza (pizzette?):

First and foremost, preparation is key. To facilitate the pizza making, have all your ingredients around you. Take the shredded mozzarella out of the fridge. Place the cutting board on a wet paper towel to prevent slipping while cutting the ingredients. Wash the tomatoes, basil, and wipe the mushrooms with a damp paper towel. As you read the steps below, note what other things you can do in advance of assembling the pizza.
Take the dough and divide off 1/3; dust it with flour first to prevent sticking.
Stretch it using a roller pin as well as your hands (pretend you're the pizza guy working the dough with your fists).
Lightly coat a pan with olive oil to prevent sticking (I covered the pan with heavy duty aluminum foil for easy clean-up - still needs coating). Use a paper towel to spread the oil; don't discard the towel yet.
Place the dough which should now resemble a disk if you were successful. But it could resemble any shape you want; mine came out oblong.

Using that same paper towel you used to spread olive oil in the pan, lightly pad the pizza so that it becomes moist with the oil already in the towel.
Sprinkle oregano and black pepper on the pizza.
Place in the oven for about ten minutes at 350 degrees, just to let the crust develop a bit.
In the meantime, slice the mushrooms (I used 4 large mushrooms), slice one tomato, slice a small clove of garlic and a small piece of shallot (or other onion).
Saute the mushrooms, garlic, and shallot: heat a small pan with a pat of butter and a teaspoon or so of olive oil (I'm guessing it's a teaspoon). Coat the ingredients well, stirring often. Sprinkle thyme (use fresh if you have it), crushing the dried flakes between your palms before adding it for extra depth. Add some pepper and a little salt toward the end of the sauteeing process. Salt helps to draw out some of the moisture from the mushrooms (Good ole Food Network).
At this point, it's been about ten minutes. Remove the pizza from the oven (don't turn the oven off).
Take the olive tapenade (again, if you happen to have this, great, but it's not necessary) and spread it lightly (it's salty) on the pizza.
Continue adding the ingredients: add the mushrooms, add a little cheese on the bottom, lay the tomatoes and basil down, and top off with more cheese and a dusting of fresh parmesan cheese.

Voila! That wasn't so bad. Place the pizza in the oven at 350-375 degrees (depending on how crispy you want it) for about 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, peek in. If the cheese is not browned or if the dough doesn't look browned at the bottom, keep it in for another five minutes or so. But 20 minutes at 375 was perfect for mine.

Use kitchen shears to cut the pizza. Serve with a glass of chilled white wine or in my case, a glass of prosecco (Italian champagne). If you made the whole dough, cut in individual serving sizes, wrap in aluminum foil (after cooling), place in ziploc bags, and freeze.

Buon appetito!

The Pleasures of Cooking for One

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In Need of Protein Solutions (If You're Trying Not to Eat Meat)

2010-04-10T21:06:00.000-04:00

Is it just me or are we, for the most part, averse to vegetables? Almost two weeks ago, I bought vegetables, stored them in the refrigerator and haven't used them yet. Well, I should say I used one stalk of celery to make tuna salad twice. Now what to do with all that leftover celery? I ran out of tuna! Such is the dilemma of single people.

I bought baby bok choy and cauliflower. I've never made these before. I used to eat the latter at my mom's house. But otherwise, the healthy greens that are full of protein, vitamins, and minerals are largely unknown to me. Swiss chard, kale, and other varieties are supposed to be so beneficial to us that we needn't eat meat (animal flesh, anyone?) anymore.

I'm so very tired of having to resort to buying meat who were once animals going down the conveyer belt to have their throats slashed (sorry) to give me the protein I need. I know that once I start making vegetables, that I'll learn new and delicious recipes and my skin will be glowing and I will lose more weight than ever before!

Ok, read this post to further understand my current dilemma. And then come back and offer your views. The other blog belongs to me also, so feel free to comment there, as well.

The Single Person's Grocery Shopping List: Some of My Suggestions

2010-03-18T21:56:00.002-04:00

What are some foods to buy that will last long and offer a variety of dishes for the single person's kitchen? Well, here's what I buy. I go to Costco but these items can be purchased anywhere, just in smaller quantities. Freezer items hold particularly well and taste fresh. The key to good and simple cooking whether for one person or four is to use fresh ingredients as much as possible, particularly with herbs. You nearly always want to use fresh parsley, thyme, cilantro, etc. over the dried kind; unless it's oregano, then dried is fine because of its strong fragrance.

Things like fish and veggies are perfect staples to have around. Buy individually packed and frozen ahi tuna steaks, salmon burgers or veggie burgers. For that touch of restaurant-style dishes, get a bag of frozen scallops. Scallops can be defrosted in a matter of minutes. Salmon and veggie burgers are ready to go from freezer to grill pan.

I made a variety of dishes with the above foods. I marinated the tuna steak in lemon, parsley, using a bit of Asian marinade sauce, pepper and olive oil. Marinate anywhere from a few minutes to several hours (longer is better). Then, place the steak on the grill for a few minutes on each side. Make a side of brown rice and/or salad. Voila! You have dinner. The whole meal takes under 30 minutes to make. The recipe is in my favorite cookbook: The Good Housekeeping Cookbook.

Another time, I made seared scallops and spaghetti (whole grain) with a healthy topping of fresh parsley and freshly-grated Parmesan cheese. The back of the scallops package featured a basic butter and white wine sauce. It was easy to make and produced yet another fast and fanciful meal, if I do say so myself. I suppose I could have also made the scallops with a pesto sauce. But I've yet to make homemade pesto.

Salmon burgers are a cinch because they require no thawing as with the tuna steaks. They are also already seasoned. Take one out of the freezer and place it on the grill pan. During the ten minutes it takes to cook it, you can throw some fries in the oven and make a salad on the side.

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Leftover-Worthy Stir-Fry Recipe

2010-02-06T22:01:00.007-05:00

I am constantly paging through the Good Housekeeping Cookbook for basic recipes that I can make for myself. Most recipes call for at least four servings. This poses a challenge for us single girls and guys; who really wants to eat leftovers three days in a row? Well, some recipes turn out such delicious, healthy, and hearty meals that they warrant leftovers. Such is the case with the following recipe I made from the Good Housekeeping Cookbook: Stir-Fry Tofu with Vegetables (recipe follows below).

For a healthy, meatless meal that contains firm tofu, this recipe is a winner. I only wish I hadn't waited so long to make it. As it is, it took me forever to buy sesame oil. Also, having all the ingredients on hand in order to make this or any Asian-style meal (or any meal, for that matter) was challenging for me. Either I would have trouble locating all the items a recipe called for on a shopping trip or the item was simply too expensive for a one-time use that it just wasn't a justifiable purchase. With some recipes, substitutions simply aren't feasible.

I want to share some notes with you regarding this recipe. This is a wonderfully fragrant meal what with the sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. So much so, in fact, that if you don't have a well-ventilated kitchen, the aromas will linger in your apartment/house for a couple of days.

A great accompanying side dish to this recipe is, you guessed it, rice. If you want to carry over the fragrant aroma into the side dish, then I would highly recommend jasmine rice. Its perfume is remarkable and heightens your senses as you eat it. Just prior to throwing the rice in the boiling water, add some spices, such as five spice powder and curry powder as well as coconut oil (in place of butter or other oil, if desired). Coconut oil is healthy and delicious. Grate a teaspoon of lemon zest on the rice upon serving, and you've got yourself some of the best rice out there.

Regarding the tofu, I had trouble browning it. I think next time I will buy extra-firm (instead of firm), drain it and towel it off super-well; and I will make sure the oil is extra hot before adding the tofu. This might do the trick.

Another quick note: if you can, do all the prep work ahead of time. Chopping vegetables can be somewhat tedious and time-consuming depending on how skilled you are with the knife. And do use a proper vegetable knife. If you watch the Food Network regularly like I do, you pick up so many wonderful tips.

One final tip: make sure the brown sugar is soft. If it's a new, un-opened box, then it's fine. However, if it's an open box that isn't tightly sealed in plastic, then take the amount you need, place in a bowl with a wet paper towel directly on it, and microwave for about a minute. Break up with fork and, if needed, microwave 30 seconds more. Do this only when you are ready to use the brown sugar.

Ingredients:
1 cup(s) chicken broth , or substitute vegetable broth

1 tablespoon(s) soy sauce

1 tablespoon(s) brown sugar

2 teaspoon(s) cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon(s) salt

2 teaspoon(s) vegetable oil

2 teaspoon(s) Asian sesame oil

1 package(s) firm tofu, drained and cut into 1-inch by 1/2-inch pieces

1 large carrot, peeled and thinly sliced

1 red pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces

3 green onions (scallions), thinly sliced

2 clove(s) garlic, finely chopped

1 tablespoon(s) fresh ginger, peeled and minced

8 ounce(s) mushrooms, trimmed and thinly sliced

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Directions:

In 2-cup measuring cup, combine broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, and salt until well-blended.

In a nonstick 12" stir fry pan or wok, heat vegetable and sesame oils over medium-high heat. Add tofu and cook, stirring frequently (stir-frying), until heated through and lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Transfer to bowl. Add carrot, red pepper, green onions, garlic, and ginger to skillet and stir-fry until vegetables are tender-crisp, about 3 minutes longer.

Add mushrooms and stir-fry 3 minutes. Add broth mixture and tofu and stir-fry until sauce has thickened slightly and boils, about 3 minutes.

Enjoy! For an extensive collection of recipes that's great for beginner/intermediate cooks, get the Good Housekeeping Cookbook. I swear by it.

Check out this blog post on Going Gluten Free, read about the harmful effects of wheat and fabulous properties of coconut oil.

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The images are my own - not bad, huh?

Cooking for One: Learning Food Pairings

2010-01-12T22:58:00.000-05:00

My continuous challenge is to not waste food as I shop and prepare meals for myself only. I used to throw away rotted produce and expired pantry items simply because I forgot about them or didn't know how to use them. Watching some Food Network shows helps because eventually you pick up on tips and food pairings which you can use to customize your own meals.

Since prices on virtually everything have gone up tremendously, buying produce that is in season is a huge help so that even if you inadvertently neglect to use up all the produce you spent your hardworking money on, you won't feel too bad about it, aside from the wasted food itself. I watch Sandra Lee and Melissa D'Arabian's shows for wonderful money-saving tips.

Cooking is a discipline all by itself, and when you have a fulltime job and other responsibilities, it's a challenge to come up with recipes designed for one person that may or may not leave you with leftovers. What I have found helpful is knowing certain food pairings that can be used to create lunches and dinners with the foods you have sitting in the pantry or in the freezer or those about to expire in the refrigerator.

For instance, let's take that bottle of balsamic vinegar that has been sitting in your pantry for longer than you can remember. It can be used in salads or as a reduction in a sauce; with strawberries, pears, orange or as a mozzarella/tomato/basil topping.

Other food pairings include fresh spinach salad with a citrus fruit, such as grapefruit; tuna steaks (buy them frozen at the supermarket) and avocado with Asian sauces (use that aging soy sauce bottle in your fridge); bacon with scallops, and so on.

Once you learn a decent set of food pairings, you can create your own recipes or feel more confident about simply cooking a meal with what you have on hand. So go ahead and take an inventory of your current food items, bring to the forefront what's about to expire, and see if you can come up with a meal around that food.

Google the food or search for it on a recipe site, and see what recipes come up. And if you don't have all the ingredients for that recipe, try customizing it with subsitutions. Use up what you have before buying more stuff. It's fun to see what you can come up with, it unleashes some creativity in an area where you probably don't give yourself much leeway, and you are taking care of yourself which is important.

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The Single Kitchen: A Blog Renamed

2010-01-03T23:31:00.000-05:00

The start of a new year (and decade) has prompted me to reflect on many things, one of which is my participation in the blogosphere. Blogging is a highly specialized kind of writing for which niche topics are essential to success. Since starting to blog in late 2008, I have learned much and one of the things I struggled with was defining my target readership.

I feel I have now defined my niche in the realm of homegoods and housewares by providing a place for singles to get ideas for cooking singular meals, finding appropriate and cool kitchen gadgets, and learning about new and chic homegoods. I can now relate my own experiences of living solo while writing about something that interests me!

Happy New Year and I hope you will continue reading my blog, or if you are new, that you will sign up.

Christmas Gifts: Dinnerware, Tableware, Kitchen Gadgets, Kitchen Appliances, and Housewares

2009-12-17T13:39:00.005-05:00

So what's in my shopping bag this week? Everything for the home with super savings. Enjoy deals, such as free shipping and more on kitchen gadgets, tableware, small kitchen appliances, and more housewares as well as personalized ornaments for the home, personalized photo christmas cards, luxury Christmas wrapping paper, and cookbooks! Sleep late, have breakfast, then begin shopping! But do not put it off one more day, as shipping deadlines have arrived!

Beautiful tableware at a deeply discounted price. Check out my Christmas pick: Toy's Fantasy large bowl (pictured below). 20% OFF orders of $75 or more with gift code: VBSNOW 25% OFF orders of $150 or more with gift code: VBFLAKE. Plus, free shipping! Note: the picture is not a link, click the bolded text above.

Serve up trifles and more in this glass serving bucket (pictured below). For all things country for the home: Save 25% on your next purchase of $60 or more. Enter code LSC15. Expires 1-19-2010. Note: the picture is not a link, click the bolded text above.

Luxury wrapping paper (which you can even personalize), gifts for the home office, entertaining supplies, and home decor for the holidays - enjoy FREE Shipping on any orders of $40+. Expires 12/18/2009! I absolutely adore these silverware holders (pictured below). Note: the picture is not a link, click the bolded text above.

Kitchen gadgets, small kitchen appliances, brand names like Cuisinart, KitchenAid, DeLonghi, and more: Cuisinart Elite Food Processors with Freebies! Free Shipping. Expires 12/31/09. Plus, Toaster & Convection Ovens with Bonus! Free Shipping. Expires 12/31/09.

Cookbooks, hobby books (gardening, etc.), and more: Free Shipping on all orders over $25. No coupon code necessary! Get the Shop Taste of Home Cookbook for only $20!! (pictured below). Note: the picture is not a link, click the bolded text above.

Check out these lovely Appetizer Plates with Caddy (pictured below). Add this adorable Ramekin Set (4) with Lids (perfect for dipping sauces!) and Save 15% off all Serving tableware. Perfect for Holiday entertaining! Enter LST10 at checkout. Expires 1/26/2010. Note: the picture is not a link, click the bolded text above.

Personalized gifts can include coffee mugs, picture frames, ornaments, and so much more. My pick is this lovely Le Blue Snowflake Personalized Picture Frame (pictured below). $10 off $75 purchase. Use code 10off75. Expires 12/31/09. Note: the picture is not a link, click the bolded text above.

On personalized stationary and cards, enjoy $10 off $99+ with code AFL10 on personalized photo Christmas cards, holiday party invitations, gift tags, and more. > Expires 12-31-09. Check out the complete holiday guide! Sample picture below. Note: the picture is not a link, click the bolded text above.

Shop KitchenAid mixers and more from KitchenAid and enjoy Free Shipping on all orders over $249. Pictured below is the 90th Anniversary 5Qt Stand Mixer Candy Apple Red. Note: the picture is not a link, click the bolded text above.

These are the best deals for Black Friday. Some of the above deals are included for Cyber Monday as well. Also, check out personalized Christmas ornaments for the home, ergonomical kitchen gadgets, and enhanced ceramic bakeware and more.

Christmas 2010

***Is this post outdated? Get updated Black Friday and more Christmas deals here.***

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Christmas-Scented Candles Christmas Gifts

2009-12-16T12:01:00.006-05:00

Get Black Friday deals here.

Scents of pine, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and pomegranate combine to create a wonderful Christmas potpourri that will fill your home with the best of the season's fragrances. Buy it for yourself or for someone else and you already have a gift you can check off on your list. Dickens Christmas Scented Jar Candles make the perfect gift for the holiday candle lover. The above is also available in a sugar cookie scent, Christmas Eve Scented Jar Candle, yum!

The lively scene on top of this candle depicts a train headed for the North Pole. This Christmas scented candle will surely brighten up the holiday for a friend or neighbor.

Christmas Eve Scented Jar Candle, Santa Skiing Red

The above sampling of Christmas-scented candles brings together all the aromas of the Christmas holiday season. Ordering these or other Christmas-scented candles in the Christmas in July pricing puts you ahead of your shopping and eases the holiday rush on you, leaving room for other things to do, such as baking!

>>>>Also, check out these Christmas Gift Ideas on tableware, kitchen gadgets, small kitchen appliances, personalized gifts and so much more.