
Save time and energy in the kitchen
Let’s break it down with four stages of kitchen activity:
- Pre-preparation
- Preparation
- Cooking
- Clean-up
Pre-preparation
- Manage expectations
- Read through the recipe
- Defrost and/or marinade meats
- Cut up produce (smaller pieces cook faster)
- Mix spices and/or sauces
- Use ingredient shortcuts, such as:
- Spice blends
- Sauces and marinades
- Pre-cut and frozen produce
- Thinner cuts of meat (they cook faster)
A word about recipes...
- Look for well-written recipes from reputable sources
- Read the recipe reviews
- Use strategic recipe searches:
- One pot or sheet pan meals
- 5 ingredients or less
- Quick and easy
- Budget or family friendly
- Make notes about the recipe after you cook
Preparation
- Get out needed equipment and ingredients
- Determine order of tasks
- Preheat oven and boil water
- Have a garbage bowl handy
- Minimize dirty dishes
Cooking
Now you are ready to cook...
- Use liners, foil and parchment paper to reduce mess
- Use wide, shallow pans to cook foods faster
- Don’t crowd the pan
- Use timers
- Take advantage of downtime
Clean-up
Everyone’s favorite part...
- Clean as you go
- Soak, soak, soak
- Use pan scrapers
- Get some Dawn Powerwash!
- Use the dishwasher when it makes sense