Gift of a Single Cook

I must tell you how much I enjoyed your Singles Survival Guide.

Obviously I am a bachelor--enjoy cooking--and dining on interesting food. I have one simplistic recipe that is delicious, can be eaten throughout the week cold or warm and is a breeze to prepare.

BAKED GAZPACHO

CHICKEN

1 (11-ounce) can gazpacho soup, undiluted

1 (8-ounce) carton plain low-fat yogurt

1 (5-piece) package boneless chicken thighs

Mix undiluted gazpacho with yogurt until smooth and blended. Arrange chicken thighs, skin side up, in (10x6-inch) baking dish. Ladle gazpacho mixture over, being careful to cover all chicken pieces.

Bake uncovered at 375 degrees 50 minutes. Remove from oven, let cool, spoon off grease and retain vegetables from gazpacho. Keeps well in plastic-covered, refrigerator-microwave-safe bowl. Makes 2 servings.

Note : For simple cleaning of baking dish, add 2 tablespoons baking soda and dash dish detergent. Fill to brim with hot water and let stand 1 hour. Wipe with sponge and dish looks like new.

Another easy solution for fresh, nutritious food is the tiny red new potato. The markets promote them for microwave cooking but I find they get pulpy and shrivel when cooked that way. Try boiling them 15-20 minutes (depending upon size; I like them as small as possible) with dash kosher salt. They are like candy, hot or cold, and with dash dill weed, no butter, they are very tasty.

--PAUL PALMER

Los Angeles