10 Fantastic Kitchen Shortcuts
Getting a healthy dinner on the table every night takes planning, but it doesn’t have to be time-consuming. Here are 10 great time-saving tips to help streamline your cooking routine.
#1 Prep in Advance
This is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to save time in the kitchen. Cut, shred and chop fruits, vegetables and cheeses ahead of time into sizes you normally use to cook or eat fresh.
Purchasing pre-cut items is usually more expensive than buying whole, so this way you get to save both time and money! Check out Design Mom for tips on storing fresh fruits and veggies.
#2 Freeze the Extras
Freezing foods is one of the simplest time savers around.Freeze whole meals and even individual ingredients like tomato paste, fresh herbs, and broths for later use. Leave room for expansion when storing liquids in the freezer, use airtight containers, and label everything clearly.
#3 Shop From a List
Rather than getting frustrated because you’re missing that key ingredient for your main dish, use a shopping list from a healthy meal plan to ensure you have everything you need, when you need it.
#4 Store Measuring Spoons & Cups in Canisters
Instead of wasting time fumbling around for that 1/4 cup measure, keep a cup inside canisters of sugar, flour, grains, etc. Bonus: you don’t have to wash them with every use!
#5 Make Your Mixes
Mix all the dry ingredients for soups, stews and rice dishes and store them in a mason jar until you’re ready to cook, then toss them in a pot with your pre-cut vegetables. No mess!
#6 Have Mashed Potato Flakes on Hand
Mashed potato flakes are great for thickening soups, breading fish and vegetables, binding several ingredients, and serving up a side dish in a snap.
#7 Cook Beans & Grains in Advance
Rice, bulgur, black beans and many other grains and legumes can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator or freezer for use throughout the week. The Veggie Table has some great tips on soaking and cooking beans and legumes.
#8 Invest in a Rice Cooker
Even if you aren’t one to buy a gadget for every ingredient, a rice cooker is a wise investment. Use it to cook old-fashioned or steel cut oats and other hot cereals, wheat berries and other grains, and even ramen noodles!
#9 Soften Butter Quickly
Skip the microwave mess and soften frozen butter in a snap by using the grater to shred it—it will be soft in about a minute.
#10 Make Your Own Smoothie Kits
Chop and mix all of the solid ingredients for a single batch of smoothies into gallon-size airtight baggies and freeze. When you’re ready for a smoothie, just pop the contents into your blender, add liquids and go!
Do you have any tried and true kitchen shortcuts you’d like to share? Please leave a comment!