Series Intro | 🥘 Cook Once, Eat Three Times | Cook Once and Eat Well All Week

Ever feel like you’re spending more time in the kitchen than you would like? Or that every time you cook, there are new dishes, more groceries, and no time left to enjoy the food?

As a Registered Nurse, a mom, and someone raised on flavorful Ghanaian cooking, I know how overwhelming meal prep can get—Especially when you’re trying to eat well, stretch your grocery budget, and make healthy choices for yourself and your family, it can be challenging to keep up. That’s why I created the Cook Once, Eat Three Times series.

💡 What is it?

This is your weekly guide to turning one key ingredient into three completely different meals—with less waste, less time, and more flavor. It’s not just leftovers. It’s an intentional, creative meal approach that works whether you’re cooking any rice dish such as jollof rice, stews, chicken, or even beans.

Note: This is a guide and not a recipe with measurements.

Join me each week for the Stretch Series—a practical and inspiring guide to repurposing everyday ingredients, one at a time.

Each weekly installment will explore simple, budget-friendly ways to reuse and reimagine a single ingredient across multiple meals.

The series includes:

  • Cook Once, Eat Three Times – a 4-week rotation where each week spotlights one key ingredient and shows you how to stretch it into three delicious meals.

  • Preserve & Stretch – tips and techniques to preserve foods with short shelf lives, so you waste less and save more.

These featured ingredients are just examples—they can be adapted to fit a wide range of pantry staples and cultural cuisines.

You’ll also find ways to modify recipes to suit your health goals, especially if you’re managing a chronic condition like diabetes. Don’t hesitate to substitute or skip ingredients as needed—flexibility is part of the stretch!

💬 Let’s Chat!

Tried this stretch? Tag me @TheStretchPantry25 on Instagram!