5 Simple Cooking Time Savers

 

Honestly, I am terrible at quick cooking.  

For one thing, processed foods often lie at the core of many quick cooking recipes, and I try to avoid processed foods like the plague.  Quick foods that don’t include highly processed ingredients tend to be bland because they use very basic ingredients and don’t give layers of flavor the time they need to meld properly.  

I like to eat healthier.  I like lots of flavor.  Both of these things, plus the fact I am constantly trying new recipes, means I spend far more time cooking than I really like.  

But I have found there are some very simple things I can do in my kitchen to save me some time, maybe not every night, but often! 

Write Out a Weekly Menu 

Not only does this save you time when it comes to making out a grocery list and shopping, it can be a big help when it’s time to cook!  I cook 3 meals a day most days of the week, and once a week I write up a very detailed menu.  While I may change my meals around a little — I may decide I’d rather have the supper planned for Friday night on Tuesday instead — I always know what ingredients I have on hand, I know what meals I have to choose from, and I’m not digging in the refrigerator at 4:00 in the afternoon trying to figure out what on earth I’m serving my family for supper!

I did this religiously for years, only to fall out of the habit for a long time.  I read this book and it really motivated me to get back to meal planning.  While doing so takes a little time up front, I think the time and stress saved at mealtimes more than makes up for it.

 

Whatever You’re Making for Supper, Make TWO!

 

I realize not every meal can be easily doubled, but when you can make two of something and freeze the extra, you’ve just created a quick and easy meal for another night.  How awesome is that?

While potatoes don’t freeze well, (their consistency changes a lot in the freezer,) many other casseroles, soups, and pastas freeze beautifully.  You’ll be so thankful for that frozen lasagna or chicken casserole on another night when you’ve had a busy day or you just don’t feel like being in the kitchen all night.

 

Cook Large Batches of Meat and Freeze in One-Meal Portions

I always love myself when I take the time to do this!  Again, a little time one night can save a lot of time over several nights.  

I like to come home from the grocery store and get started immediately:  I’ll dump several pounds of chicken in the slow cooker while I put several pounds of ground beef on the stove to brown.  When it’s all done, I portion it into freezer bags and it’s ready to go for chili, tacos, soups, and casseroles.  Just a few minutes work gives me a jump start on several other meals.  

 

Chop and Freeze Vegetables and Fruits You Cook with Often

I love onions, and I cook with them almost every night.  Obviously for some recipes they must be fresh, but in many others the frozen work just as well.  I like to buy two bags of onions at a time, keeping one bag in my fridge while chopping and freezing the other bag in one-onion portions.  

When fruits are on sale I like to do the same, chopping and freezing for smoothies and baking.  

 

Repurpose Leftovers

Sticking by a regular menu is great, but it’s really a waste not only of food, but of TIME not to make use of leftovers!  

Heating up and re-serving the week’s leftovers can make for a quick and simple meal, but you can be creative in repurposing those leftovers, too!  Leftovers often become soups in my house.  Add grilled cheese sandwiches or some cornbread and it can feel like a brand new meal!  You can just as easily turn leftovers into casseroles, pot pies, or breakfast quiches.  

Do you have any tips for saving time in the kitchen?  If so, I’d love to hear them!