Solo: Sefer Ha-Bishul La-Adam Hachi Hashuv Ba Bait by Yifat Abeksis

Solo – The Cookbook for the Most Important Person at Home

“Solo” is the first cookbook in Israel dedicated to those cooking just for themselves. It was born out of the understanding that at some stage in life, we all live solo or cook solo—and even then, we deserve to enjoy healthy, diverse meals, dishes that excite and comfort us, waiting for us at the end of a long day.

Behind this book are naturopath Yifat Abeksis, her sister-in-law Ora Abeksis (a theater director and spiritual guide in hospitals), seasoned culinary editor Yonit Naftali, and a team of some of Israel’s best recipe developers: Orly Peli Bronshtein, Ruth Oliver, Uriya Geva, and Rinat Tzadok. Together, they’ve created a collection of over 100 recipes(!), perfectly designed for a single portion. The book includes countless tips, efficient preparation techniques, and advice for both novice and experienced cooks to help build a fun, varied menu—without spending hours in the kitchen, wasting half an egg, or dealing with piles of dishes.

This book views the individual as a whole world and treats cooking and eating as a way to show oneself care and self-love. Within its pages, you’ll also find reflections, short stories, and food memories from five prominent writers, culinary experts, and cultural figures (Erez Komarovsky, Hila Alpert, Shiri Artzi, Yuval Plotkin, and Erez Ko-al). These stories expand the understanding of solo cooking and dining, encouraging everyone to feel comfortable setting a table for one.

About the Book in Detail

The target audience for “Solo” is vast and diverse:

• Young adults starting out in life.

• Empty nesters whose children have moved out.

• Singles, divorced individuals living solo part-time, and digital nomads.

• Those working hybrid jobs who cook lunch for themselves.

According to Israel’s 2022 Household Report by the Central Bureau of Statistics, over 20% of households in the country consist of individuals or couples, a number steadily increasing. Many people living alone strive for healthy, homemade, and balanced meals, yet cooking for oneself can be challenging. Preparing large dishes often leads to repetition, and cutting down portions isn’t always a practical solution. Solo cooks need recipes yielding single portions and offering a reasonable balance of effort, preparation time, and results—this is the gap “Solo” fills.

With tools and strategies tailored for solo living, “Solo” empowers readers to cook for the most important person at home: themselves. From its curated selection of recipes to its division into practical chapters (pantry staples, homey classics, pre-prepped base dishes, desserts, and quick meals), the book addresses the unique needs of solo cooks.

Editorial Team:

• Editor-in-Chief and Content Management: Yonit Naftali

• Production and Editing: Yael Kelev

• Photography: Daniel Laila

• Styling: Uriya Geva

• Graphic Design: Verda Amir

• Illustrations: Nadav Yahel