6 Kitchen Tips and Tricks to Save Time and Enjoy Cooking
You’re probably aware that preparing your meals is better than eating out. Good food is the foundation of a good diet. Here are some kitchen-specific tips and tricks you can use to save time and enjoy cooking more often.
Create a weekly menu as well as a shopping list
And keep it up! Every Saturday or Sunday, plan 5-7 nights of dinner. Involve the children in the process and make them feel included by incorporating some of their suggestions. Make a detailed shopping list after you’ve written down your weekly menu. Make sure to read recipes carefully, check your fridge and pantry to avoid buying duplicates of items you already have, and make an essential list of the things you must have every week (coffee, cereal, milk, smoothie ingredients, etc.).
Select passive cooking methods
Slow cooker, rice cooker, oven, Instant Pot, or air fryer dishes are fantastic because the machine does all of the work. You can easily set it up and use that time to prepare for the next meal or even take a break.
Declutter and get organized
There’s no faster way to waste time than constantly looking for things, so make sure you’ve decluttered as much as possible, and then get the storage and systems in place. Keep your plates, cups, and cutlery close to the dishwasher or sink. It saves a significant amount of time when putting them away after you’ve washed them. Keep the most frequently used items close at hand and the least frequently used items further away. For food storage, use the proper containers for the job; so you don’t waste time opening and closing the ill-fitting lids, taping down plastic food bags, etc.
Clean up at the same time while cooking
Clean up is the last thing you want to do after eating. The food has probably thickened and stuck hard to the saucepans and worksurface, so you’ll have to spend even more time clearing it all away. The key is to clean alongside while you cook. Keep a bin bag handy, so you can toss wrappers, peelings, and other debris into it, wash the dishes as you go, rinse cans for recycling as you use them, and so on. If you clean as you go, you should only have the plates and cutlery at the end of the meal.
Make some spices combos ahead of time
Many of you have favorite dishes, which you usually prepare something like Thai, Indian, Malaysian, etc. Make batches of spices for your favorite recipes and store them in spice jars. Remember to label them and keep them in a cool, dark place.
Preheat the skillet
Follow this restaurant chef’s trick for the crispiest vegetables, a more even and faster cooking time, and the best meat sear: Preheat the sheet pan, oven-safe skillet, or pizza stone for around three minutes before adding the remaining ingredients.
You can conveniently give more time for working out, engaging in your craft, and spending more time with your loved ones by integrating even a few time-saving kitchen tips and tricks into your weekly routine.
