Are you suffering from time management issues while cooking? Well, this article is for you. In this article, I will share how I overcame the issue of time management in cooking.
Time management can be very stressful, especially for students or people who live far from home because of their jobs. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a beginner, implementing these 7 strategies can help you cook efficiently, reduce stress, and consistently produce delicious meals.
1. Weekly Meal Plan
Make an outline or a proper menu for the week. Plan what you want to have for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and make a schedule for it. Sometimes we struggle with indecision about what to cook. You can also shuffle your menu with other weeks to avoid monotony. Make a shopping list according to your menu.
2. Prep Your Ingredients in Advance
I always prefer to prep my ingredients before cooking. It gives me a smooth cooking experience and helps reduce the chances of unwanted mishaps. When preparing some proteins, marination is required. So, marinate your meat the night before cooking. Measure your ingredients like oil, spices, and other items ahead of time.
3. Use Time-Saving Equipment
A pressure cooker is a great choice to save time in cooking. These appliances allow you to set them and forget them, making them ideal for busy days. If you want to incorporate healthy food into your menu, a food processor is a good idea. It quickly chops, slices, or purees ingredients with ease. Definitely use a sharp knife to cut your vegetables or onions. Using a dull knife requires too much effort in the kitchen and wastes time.
4. Stay Organized
An organized kitchen creates a good vibe and a sense of refreshment. It feels good to work in a clean space. The best way to organize your kitchen is to clean it immediately after cooking. Store your pots, pans, and cookware in an orderly way. Use clear containers to store your spices or ingredients and label them with contents and dates. This way, you don’t have to struggle to find the right ingredients at the right time.
5. Learn Quick Recipes
Start learning easy recipes. This will help build your confidence over time. For breakfast, you can learn to make pancakes, which can be explored with different flavors. Chicken sandwiches or club sandwiches are other easy dishes for the morning. For lunch, decide on your favorite foods or dishes and start learning the easier ones first.
6. Time Management Techniques
Introduce some techniques, such as setting a timer. Cooking is all about practice. Track your cooking time and try to reduce prep time. When making a large quantity of food, prep your ingredients in advance. Make a list of the spices you will need and arrange them in the front row.
7. Practice and Patience
The most important thing is practice, whether you are a beginner or want to become a pro. Improving your cooking requires immense practice and time. So, you need to have a lot of patience. But if you are passionate about cooking, it won’t be hard for you to become patient.
By incorporating these tips into your cooking routine, you will find that meal preparation becomes stress-free.