A story released today by the Associated Press reports that eating alone at home can be lonely, lazy or indulgent - or so absent-minded that the meal is forgotten as soon as swallowed. However, Joyce Goldstein, a San Francisco-based chef, food writer and cooking teacher, has loads of encouragement to offer in her book "Solo Suppers: Simple Delicious Meals to Cook for Yourself".

Goldstein makes several points in her introduction. Singles are the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population, she says. More people now live alone, but most cookbooks don't reflect this, and not all recipes reduce easily or well from quantities serving four or six people.

She says she has been a single diner for 10 years, knows her way around a kitchen and has put what she's learned into her book.

"I believe that I deserve a great meal, a glass of excellent wine, and the time to relax and enjoy my own company," she writes.

Besides plenty of recipes, Goldstein includes advice on planning, shopping and reheating - many of her recipes are for substantial one-dish meals, she says, and for some people may stretch to two meals.

Inside are two main-dish supper recipes for singles to try. Round them out with a green salad, if you like.