We feel that way about risotto. Chocolate pudding. Macaroni and cheese.

One way to avoid taking a second slice or scoop is to serve the food in ramekins for portion control. There’s no large dish brought to the table to tempt: just one ramekin per person and that’s it.

Ramekins are available in a range of sizes, from four ounces to eight ounces. For the smallest portion, use four-ounce ramekins.

Ramekins are a good investment. They’re very versatile, and can be used to bake soufflés, custards and other foods. We use them to serve:

• Garnishes like olives and pickles (they’re also great for holding discarded olive pits)

Rich and creamy lobster risotto from
Hancock lobster arrives portion-controlled.
Photo courtesy Hancock Gourmet Lobster.

• Sides like apple sauce, sour cream, dipping sauces and salad dressings
• Snacks and nibbles like nuts and dips
• Toppings for ice cream, pancakes, yogurt, etc.

While most ramekins are white, you can find them in different colors. Le Creuset has handsome 7-ounce ramekins in 6 colors.