12 More Things Your Toaster Oven Can Do That Nobody Told You | Seniors Living Alone

Easy toaster oven recipes for seniors living alone — twelve real dishes for one or two people without heating a full-size oven or standing over the stove all evening. From crisp hash brown cakes and baked eggs to flounder, pork tenderloin, falafel, baked beans, and a peach cobbler for one, these small-batch recipes show how much more a countertop toaster oven can do than make toast. Most use one small pan or baking dish, simple grocery-store ingredients, and portions that make sense when you are cooking for yourself. [00:59] — 1. Golden Hash Brown Cakes INGREDIENTS (makes 2 cakes; dinner for 1 or side for 2) • 355 mL / 1 1/2 cups shredded potatoes, fresh or frozen and thawed • 15 mL / 1 tbsp melted butter • 1.25 mL / 1/4 tsp salt • 1 pinch black pepper • 10 mL / 2 tsp oil for the pan • Optional: 30 mL / 2 tbsp grated onion • Optional serving: 1 egg alongside [02:19] — 2. Shirred Eggs with Cream and Chives INGREDIENTS (serves 1) • About 5 mL / 1 tsp butter for greasing the dish* • 30 mL / 2 tbsp heavy cream • 2 large eggs • 15 mL / 1 tbsp chopped chives • 1.25 mL / 1/4 tsp salt [03:41] — 3. Buttermilk Drop Biscuits INGREDIENTS (makes 6 biscuits) • 240 mL / 1 cup all-purpose flour • 7.5 mL / 1 1/2 tsp baking powder • 2.5 mL / 1/2 tsp salt • 1.25 mL / 1/4 tsp baking soda • 120 mL / 1/2 cup cold buttermilk • 45 mL / 3 tbsp melted butter • 2.5 mL / 1/2 tsp oil for the pan [05:05] — 4. Patty Melt on Rye INGREDIENTS (serves 1) • 113 g / 4 oz ground beef • 2.5 mL / 1/2 tsp oil for the pan • 2 slices rye bread • 30 mL / 2 tbsp cooked onions • 1 slice Swiss cheese [06:24] — 5. Flounder with Lemon and Dill INGREDIENTS (serves 1) • 170 g / 6 oz flounder fillet • About 5 mL / 1 tsp butter for greasing the pan* • 15 mL / 1 tbsp melted butter • 1/2 lemon • 2.5 mL / 1/2 tsp dried dill • 1.25 mL / 1/4 tsp salt [07:40] — 6. Pork Tenderloin Medallions with Mustard Glaze INGREDIENTS (serves 2, or 1 dinner plus 1 cold plate) • 227 g / 8 oz pork tenderloin, cut into 4 rounds • 15 mL / 1 tbsp Dijon mustard • 10 mL / 2 tsp honey • 1.25 mL / 1/4 tsp salt [10:47] — 7. Stuffed Zucchini Boats INGREDIENTS (makes 2 boats; serves 1) • 1 medium zucchini, about 20 cm / 8 inches long • 1.25 mL / 1/4 tsp salt • 60 mL / 1/4 cup cooked ground beef or sausage for each half • 30 mL / 2 tbsp marinara • 30 mL / 2 tbsp shredded mozzarella for each boat [12:06] — 8. Crisp Kale with Parmesan INGREDIENTS (makes about 2 cups; serves 1 as a side) • About 710 mL / 3 cups kale leaves, stems removed • 15 mL / 1 tbsp olive oil • 1.25 mL / 1/4 tsp salt • 30 mL / 2 tbsp grated Parmesan [13:23] — 9. Cherry Tomato and Ricotta Tart INGREDIENTS (serves 2) • 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed • 120 mL / 1/2 cup whole-milk ricotta • 1.25 mL / 1/4 tsp salt • 12 cherry tomatoes, halved • 10 mL / 2 tsp olive oil • Optional: torn basil [14:29] — 10. Baked Falafel with Lemon Yogurt INGREDIENTS (makes 6 patties; 2 meals) • 1 can chickpeas, 425 g / 15 oz, drained • 1/4 small onion • 2 garlic cloves • 45 mL / 3 tbsp chopped parsley • 5 mL / 1 tsp ground cumin • 2.5 mL / 1/2 tsp salt • 30 mL / 2 tbsp flour • 2.5 mL / 1/2 tsp oil for the pan • 5 mL / 1 tsp oil for brushing the patties • 120 mL / 1/2 cup plain yogurt • 15 mL / 1 tbsp lemon juice • 1 pinch salt [15:49] — 11. Boston Baked Beans in a Small Dish INGREDIENTS (makes 4 servings) • 2 cans navy beans, 425 g / 15 oz each, drained and rinsed • 60 mL / 1/4 cup molasses • 30 mL / 2 tbsp brown sugar • 15 mL / 1 tbsp Dijon mustard • 1/4 onion, finely chopped • 57 g / 2 oz fully cooked bacon • 180 mL / 3/4 cup water • Up to 30 mL / 2 tbsp additional water if the top looks dry [17:03] — 12. Peach Cobbler in a Ramekin INGREDIENTS (serves 1) • About 5 mL / 1 tsp butter for greasing the ramekin* • 240 mL / 1 cup sliced peaches, fresh or frozen and thawed • 10 mL / 2 tsp sugar • 2.5 mL / 1/2 tsp cornstarch • 45 mL / 3 tbsp flour • 15 mL / 1 tbsp sugar • 1.25 mL / 1/4 tsp baking powder • 1 pinch salt • 15 mL / 1 tbsp cold butter • 15 mL / 1 tbsp milk ===================== Let me know in the comments which one you're trying first, and don't forget to subscribe for more easy, gentle made for one. These recipes are shared for general enjoyment. Please adjust ingredients to your own tastes and any dietary needs, and check with your doctor about anything specific to your health.