One is Fun

One is Fun is a cookbook focused on recipes and techniques for single-person households. The book addresses the practical challenges of cooking for one while minimizing waste and maintaining variety. The collection contains over 100 recipes specifically portioned and designed for solo cooking, spanning breakfast, lunch, dinner and desserts. Step-by-step instructions guide readers through preparation methods that maximize efficiency and minimize leftover ingredients. Delia Smith approaches the subject with practicality and empathy, acknowledging both the limitations and opportunities of cooking for one person. The book serves as a resource for singles, students, and anyone cooking solo who wants to move beyond basic meals while maintaining simplicity.

Readers consistently mention this cookbook's value for single households and beginners learning to cook. Home cooks appreciate the basic techniques, clear instructions, and smaller portion sizes designed for one person. Likes: - Recipes scale down ingredients without compromising taste - Step-by-step photos help visualize techniques - Budget-friendly ingredient choices - Includes shopping tips for single portions Dislikes: - Some recipes dated (published 1985) - Limited vegetarian options - UK measurements/ingredients need conversion - Several recipes require specialty equipment A reader on Amazon notes: "Perfect for students - taught me fundamentals without wasting food." Another comments: "The beef stew recipe became my go-to comfort meal." Ratings: Amazon UK: 4.6/5 (312 reviews) Goodreads: 4.2/5 (89 reviews) Waterstones: 4.7/5 (156 reviews) Common feedback indicates the book remains useful despite its age, with readers frequently passing copies to children leaving home for university.

Cooking for One by Mark Price A collection of simple, scaled-down recipes designed for single servings with ingredients found in standard supermarkets.

Solo Food by Linda Tubby This cookbook presents methods for shopping, storing, and preparing meals for one person while minimizing waste and creating complete nutritious dishes.

The Ultimate Cooking for One Cookbook by Joanie Zisk The recipes use basic kitchen equipment and contain step-by-step instructions for creating single portions of classic comfort foods.

Serve Yourself by Joe Yonan The recipes focus on using pantry staples and fresh ingredients to create single-serving meals without leftover ingredients.

Going Solo in the Kitchen by Jane Doerfer This guide includes techniques for downsizing recipes, shopping strategies, and methods to extend ingredients across multiple meals for single cooks.

🔹 "One is Fun" was first published in 1985 as a companion to Delia Smith's BBC television series of the same name, specifically designed to address the growing number of single-person households in Britain. 🔹 The book pioneered the concept of cooking for one, at a time when most cookbooks focused on family-sized portions, and included innovative techniques for reducing recipes and avoiding food waste. 🔹 Delia Smith, who never received formal culinary training, learned to cook by reading cookbooks in the reading room of the British Museum and working as a kitchen hand. 🔹 The recipes were meticulously tested in domestic kitchens rather than professional ones, ensuring they would work in real-world home cooking situations. 🔹 Many of the book's recipes include instructions for freezing portions, making it one of the first mainstream cookbooks to embrace frozen food as a practical solution for single cooks.