How to Minimize Time in the Kitchen
By Fran DeNunzio
Do you enjoy cooking and making meals for yourself? I sure do. But sometimes it feels like I spend too much time in the kitchen trying to cook even just one dish for myself. Because of this, I sometimes find myself hesitant to cook when I have limited time in my schedule because I worry that I will waste too much time cooking my meal and cleaning up after. Yet, whenever I do not cook, I tend to opt for an unhealthier or less fulfilling meal, even if I have ingredients for a more substantial meal. The consequences of this are that I find these ingredients going bad faster because I didn’t use them in a timely manner, or I am still hungry after my quick-meal because I didn’t allow myself the time to create a healthy and filling meal. I have realized that the solution to this problem is all about time management and planning. Knowing how to minimize the time you spend in the kitchen so that you can provide yourself with a satisfying meal without wasting too much time is key. If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, then I have some tips on how to make the most of your time in the kitchen to accelerate the cooking process.
Meal plan: Having a set menu of meals for the week will help you be more organized when it comes to cooking so that you know what to expect when you start to make your meals. When you are familiar with the recipes you’ll be making, you’ll be more organized and have a plan, which means less time will be wasted figuring out what you should eat.
One pan or one bowl meals: If you have a busy week, one dish meals are your best friend. They are perfect for minimizing cooking and cleaning time while also making sure that your meal is packed with protein, veggies, grains, and everything you need for a fulfilling meal!
Wash fruits and veggies before putting them away after grocery shopping: Sometimes the worst part about cooking is having to wash and dry produce so that it is clean to use for your recipe. If you wash all the produce you’ll need throughout the week when you get back from grocery shopping, then you won’t have to worry about wasting time washing your fruits and veggies for each meal you make – they will already be clean and ready to go!
Prepare everything before you start cooking: Before you start cooking any meal, it’s important to gather and prepare all the ingredients that you will need for a dish. If a recipe requires you to chop a variety of ingredients or measure out certain spices, prepare those ingredients so that when it is time to use them in the recipe, they are ready to go. This way, you won’t be delayed in moving onto the next step in the recipe because all the ingredients will be prepped and ready to be added when needed.
Clean while cooking to minimize cleanup time: One of the biggest ways to make the most of your time while you are cooking is to clean as you go. Begin to clean your dishes and cooking space while your meal is cooking. If something needs to sauté or simmer for a few minutes or even bake for twenty minutes, take that time to wash dishes so that by the time you are finished cooking, you’ve already completed your cleanup or only have a few dishes left to wash.
I hope these tips can help you save some time when you are cooking!
