Cooking doesn’t have to be difficult or time consuming. If you’re struggling with how to make your cooking time less of a struggle, then here are some tips.
1. Look over how you are cooking – Are you making the same meals over and over again and not making larger quantities to put in the freezer?
2. Get recipes that work – If you’re stuck and can’t find anything to make, just ask a friend for her favorites or look on the internet or in the library.
3. Set up your kitchen in meal centers – Look at how your kitchen is organized. Is all your dinnerware together (i.e. plates, cups and silverware)? Are all your baking items together (i.e. mixer, flour, sugar, spices, mixing bowls and spoons)? Are all your meal preparation items together (ie. Pots, pans, cooking spices)? If everything was organized together you might find it easier to cook.
4. Make the most of your time in the kitchen – if the meal you are making can be doubled or quadrupled and frozen, then do it! It’s not any harder to put a tablespoon of oregano in a pot that it is to put a teaspoon. It isn’t any harder to cook 4 cups of rice than it is to cook 1 cup. You can eat the meal that night and put the other meals in the freezer for another busy day.
5. Get help if you need it – ask a friend for some advice, read a book, look online. There are many resources out there to help you take the stress out of cooking and eat many delicious home cooked meals.