5 Tips To Make Your Next Meal Quick and Painless

One evening my roommate proudly announced to me that he was going to make homemade beef pot pie and excitedly rattled off the recipe to me. The list was simple enough. The steps were easy to execute a quick, one dish meal. He felt confident that he could conduct the recipe with little assistance. I of course was extremely supportive and only interjected advice when it was absolutely crucial to the cooking process. As I sat and watched the entire meal roll out from afar, I realized that had certain prepatory steps been taken, the pot pie would have been completed much faster. I noticed four crucial maneuvers that would have altered the prep and cook time for my roommate, so I decided to write them down and share with you!

Tip 1: Read Through the Entire Recipe FIRST Before You Begin Your Prep Work

Okay so this may sound obvious, but we all know what they say about assuming! Taking the time to read through the recipe will help give you insight as to what the actual cooking process will look like from start to finish. You’ll be able to anticipate the next move as you execute the each step. You’ll never be blind sided by what lies ahead. Think of it as a quick study before an exam!

Tip 2: Set Up Your Cooking Area

Again, this TOO may sound obvious, but by actually gathering out all of your cooking utensils, cookware and ingredients will save those few extra moments that could be critical when it comes to cooking something perfectly or burnt to a crisp! You will also have a visual of your workspace and won’t have to guess where your tools are located. You'll keep your work area free of clutter by putting away items that are no longer needed. An efficient work space will keep you moving swiftly and keep your mind free of clutter too!

Tip 3: Pre-Measure Your Ingredients

Think of this step like a production line. Pre-measuring will ensure that you did in fact have the correct amount of the ingredient in your recipe. It’s easy to get 1tsp and 1tbsp confused when quickly glancing at an ingredient list. I’ve made this mistake before and the results are always a little janky to say the least. It can make the difference between perfectly seasoned or overly saturated flavor (especially when it comes to salt!).

Tip 4: Clean Up Your Work Area As You Go

If there is any wait time between cooking steps, start the clean up process then! You’ll be happy you did. Most of the time you can wash a spatula or two while the water is boiling or when the chicken is baking in the oven. Having a tidy kitchen is like having a breath of fresh air; nothing is more disappointing than having to wash a pile of dirty dishes after an amazing meal. Besides, it will give you a sense of accomplishment of not only cooking something amazing, but also having a clean kitchen after.

Tip 5 BONUS Round! : Double the Recipe to Have Leftovers for Lunch or Dinner Tomorrow

If you normally don’t make a meal, treat yourself to the delish leftovers by making twice the serving amounts. It will take the same amount of effort for one meal as it will with two. Just be mindful to double all the ingredients on the list or else it may not turn out as expected. You’ll save yourself time by having a prepared meal ready for reheat. Plus you can cash in on savings of not eating to eat a meal out. It’s a win-win situation!