Cooking for One: Make It Tasty, Healthy and Fast

Photo: Emily Weeks

HEALTHY AGING® MAGAZINE EXCERPT:

If you are an empty nester and no longer need to make large family meals or just find yourself home alone, there are many ideas of simple dishes to prepare when it is just you. Not only can you prepare foods from fresh, additive-free ingredients, but you can save money too.

Meals for one do not have to mean a frozen single-serving heated up in the microwave. Made-from-scratch meals can often be prepared in about the same time as it takes to heat a frozen meal in the oven.

If you’re looking for inspiration, cookbook author Kelly Jaggers has you covered with over 100 recipes in her book, The Ultimate Meal Planning for One Cookbook.

Loaded Avocado Toast with Smoked Salmon

Makes 1 serving

• 1 slice whole-grain bread, toasted
• 1⁄3 cup mashed avocado
• 1⁄4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 ounces sliced smoked salmon
• 1 large hard-boiled egg, sliced
• 1 tablespoon finely minced red onion
• 1 tablespoon finely minced English cucumber
• 1⁄4 teaspoon everything bagel seasoning

On toasted bread, spread avocado in an even layer. Sprinkle lemon juice over avocado. Top with smoked salmon and egg, then sprinkle onion, cucumber, and everything bagel seasoning over top. Serve immediately.

Keeping Cut Avocado Fresh

Depending on your meal plan, you may have fresh avocado left over after you have made a recipe. If you are planning to use your avocado within 24 hours, simply put it in the refrigerator uncovered. If you are going to use it later in the week, spritz it with lemon juice and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap before refrigerating.

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