Ways to get dinner on the table faster
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As women, it is often hard to juggle between work and home life. The most difficult of all is to ensure that your family eat healthy meals, especially dinner. Getting dinner on the table faster can be achieved through various strategies and techniques. Here are some ways to speed up the dinner preparation process:
- Plan ahead: It might take some time off your Sunday relaxing time but spend some time planning your meals. This allows you to defrost ingredients, marinate meats and chop vegetables in advance, reducing prep time on busy nights.
- One-pot meals: Opt for recipes that can be cooked in a single pot or pan to minimize cleanup and streamline the cooking process.
- Pre-cut ingredients: Purchase pre-cut vegetables or pre-marinated meats to cut down on prep time.
- Use kitchen gadgets: Utilize kitchen gadgets such as pressure cookers, slow cookers, and instant pots to cook meals quickly with minimal effort.
- Cook in batches: Cook large batches of staple ingredients such as beans and peas, proteins, and sauces ahead of time and store them in the fridge or freezer for quick assembly during the week.
- Keep a well-stocked pantry: Maintain a well-stocked pantry with essential ingredients such as canned beans, pasta, rice, and sauces to whip up quick meals without needing to make a trip to the grocery store.
- Choose quick-cooking ingredients: Opt for ingredients that cook quickly, such as thin cuts of meat, seafood, and leafy greens.
- Prep while cooking: Use downtime while cooking one component of the meal to prep other ingredients or set the table.
- Limit complex recipes: Save elaborate recipes for weekends or days when you have more time and opt for simpler recipes during busy weekdays.
- Delegate tasks: Involve family members in meal preparation by assigning them tasks like chopping vegetables or setting the table to speed up the process.
- Cook simultaneously: If preparing multiple dishes, identify tasks that can be done simultaneously to expedite the cooking process.
- Invest in sharp knives and efficient tools: Sharp knives and efficient kitchen tools can significantly reduce prep time and make cooking more enjoyable.
- Use leftovers: Repurpose leftovers into new meals to save time and minimize food waste.
- Clean as you go: Wash dishes and clean countertops as you cook to avoid a big mess and make cleanup faster.
By implementing these strategies, you can streamline the dinner preparation process and get delicious meals on the table faster, even on the busiest of days.