Chemiker wrote:
>
> Well, I was to make chowed pork with pineapple and ginger this day,
> but I've been pre-empted by SWMBO, who is opting for braised sirloin
> tips. Asi es la vida.
>
> Topic: Cooking.
>
> SWMBO wants to get rid of our two refrigerators and get only (!) one
> to replace them. So far, so good. We tend to overcook, and the
> fridges get overloaded with leftovers, which, all too often, wind up
> being discarded.
>
> This is not about what kind of fridge to buy.... I know it's going to
> cost me, and back problems suggest bottom-freezer types are not in the
> running.
>
> The nub is relearing how to cook.
>
> Of this NG's exalted membership, I know there are some who are younger
> and "starting out", with no/small families. Some are empty nesters.
> Some have larger families, or entertain or maybe participate regularly
> in church social suppers, or the like. So here's the question....
>
> Is it easier to cook for 8? or 2? For those who've made the transition
> from one to the other, what were the most difficult adjustments you
> had to make?
>
> Looks like this old dog is going to have to learn a few new tricks.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Alex, practicing "Woof!" and rolling over.

As a general rule, it is easier to cook for 4-8. Above that it's an
increasing logistical challenge and below that there is so little food
in the pan that it's difficult to make sauces and whatnot.

As a single person who likes to cook, I just cook with a 4-5 serving
target, and interleave leftovers with newly cooked dishes so I'm not
eating the same thing 5 times in a row before moving on to something
new. That batch size also works better with the more economical "family
packs" of meats, sometimes the same meat will be made in several
different preparations and last a week plus.

Perhaps if you have to refrigerators now, consider replacing one with an
upright freezer and freezing some of the leftovers for future use. I do
that quite a bit, and have BBQ in January or turkey dinner in July with
minimal fuss and no freezer burn thanks to Foodsaver vac bagging.