September can be a challenging time of year for a lot of people. For parents, it means getting the family back into the routine and juggling work-life demands. For others it can mean getting back onto life's hamster wheel following summer schedules and vacations. Finding time to cook may seem impossible. But it doesn't have to be so time consuming. Here are my five top ways to save time in the kitchen.
- Plan - Plan meals in advance including what you're going to make and when. Plan for leftovers for a second night by doubling recipes or cooking extra of the proteins and sides to use in other ways during the week.
- Choose Recipes Wisely - Stick to those with 5 ingredients or less and that can be prepared in 20-30 minutes tops.
- Prepare - Read the recipe all the way through and prep your ingredients before you start. Taking time to create your "mise-en-place" will ensure that each ingredient is ready to go precisely when you need it and will avoid last minute trips to the store for that missing ingredient.
- Clean as You Go - Avoid having to take more time to clean after your cooking by doing it as you go. It takes a lot less time to rinse your dishes and put them in the dishwasher than it does to scrape and wash or clean up spills after they've been sitting to long.
- Hire a Personal Chef - Your time is valuable. Get back 10-15 hours a week that normally would be spent on the distraction of planning, shopping, cooking and cleaning by hiring a personal chef. We'll focus on your dinner so that you can focus on your life. Click here to learn more.