Photo by Dan Jones
What a find I have for you this week! Eleanor Wilkinson’s debut cookbook, One Pot One Portion is, to borrow from The Parent Trap “a brilliant beyond brilliant idea”: a book of single-portion recipes that require just a single pot, pan, tin or dish to make them. I have always been a huge believer in the importance of cooking for oneself; indeed, I insist upon it for myself and urge it upon others. It’s not a point of principle or a case of 'should' or 'ought': it’s about extracting the most pleasure possible out of the everyday. I know many feel that it’s too much bother to cook ‘just’ for themselves — a sad admission, I feel — and to those people, and many others besides, I say: get this book and prove yourself liberatingly wrong!
I confess that Eleanor Wilkinson had been hitherto unknown to me. This is clearly my failing: I fear there isn’t a viral social media sensation, as her publishers describe her, who doesn’t pass me by. Thank goodness for books! And thank goodness for Eleanor Wilkinson, a young talent to lift the spirits. "One Pot One Portion", she declares, “is the book for people who cook, eat, or live alone and are tired of washing up.” In its unfussy pages are recipes for Fish Pie; Risotto Carbonara, which might be offered with apologies to Italians from the author, but will be greeted with joy from her readers; Caramelised Onion, Squash and Goat’s Cheese Tarte Tatin; Tarragon Chicken with Leeks, Peas and Potatoes; Courgette Carpaccio with Crispy Capers and Butter Beans; Ginger Chicken Rice Bowl; Roasted Red Pepper, Tomato and Preserved Lemon Orzo; Pork and Pineapple Flatbread; Creamy Green Linguine; Tuna Tostadas with Avocado, Jalapeños and Pickled Ginger; French Onion Soup; Salami and Hot Honey Frying Pan Pizza; Spiced Lamb Steak with Coriander and Date Chutney; Bacon and Potato Gratin; Self-Saucing Sticky Toffee Pudding; Baked Peaches with Caramel Sauce; Brown Sugar Plum Pie; and Maryland Cookie Cake. Please bear in mind that 1) all these recipes are indeed for one (though many could be stretched to feed two and others easily sized up) and 2) I’ve barely scratched the surface here. There are so many people who could benefit from this book quite apart from those who live alone: those in large households need a solo treat from time to time. But for those who have only themselves to feed and please, this book is a boon and a blessing. And from it, I’m thrilled to be sharing with you her enticing, one-person Lasagne.
Extracted from One Pot One Portion: Simple Speedy Recipes Just For You by Eleanor Wilkinson (Ebury Press, £22).
Photography by Dan Jones.
