[kitchen tip] Too busy to cook?

[Guest guest]

Here are a few time saving ideas that can help.

 

Plan ahead. I know it sounds like a no-brainer, but

take a few minutes to jot down some of your family's

favorite recipes on a piece of paper. Just take a small

calendar and rotate them in, leaving a few spaces to

fill in with new recipes or ideas.

 

One thing I have done is to plot out a basic schedule. Then,

once a week I scan through cookbooks looking for a few new

recipes I have been wanting to try. Plug those into the schedule

on days when there is more time to cook.

 

Keep a shopping list and make sure you have the items

for the week's meals. If you are disciplined enough to do

this for longer than one week at a time, bravo! I seem to

be only able to manage it on a weekly basis, but my goal is to

work up to 2 weeks...then three etc.

 

Keep the freezer, refrigerator and pantry stocked with basics and

those handy " convenience " items. Items like canned beans,

couscous, pasta, frozen veggie burger crumbles and mixes can all

be sources for inspiration when time is short.

 

Cook double batches. When you are taking time to cook beans

or make a sauce and you have space in your freezer for storage,

just fix a double batch and freeze the extra for later use.

 

~ PT ~

 

In great straits and when hope is small,

the boldest counsels are the safest.

~ Livy (B.C. 59-17 A.D.)