Make an Extra Element of a Recipe to Use in Others
When you're preparing one recipe, why not make extras from an element of that dish—like a sauce or salsa—and use it creatively in other dishes throughout the week? It's a shortcut we learned from Brian Boitano!
Chop Veggies Ahead of Time
Prepare for a busy week by prepping what you can in advance. Chop an abundance of veggies just once during the week—say, on Sunday—and store them in the fridge for quick access for multiple easy weeknight dinners.
Reach for Baking Mixes
Instead of baking from scratch, don't be afraid to use boxed mixes. You can make them your own by adding something fresh or unexpected, like fruit, citrus zest or nuts.
Cook With Stock for Full Flavor
For a fuller flavor in dishes like rice and more, prepare with stock instead of water. The result is rich and satisfying.
Stock the Necessary Basics
Your frenzied week will run a bit smoother if you always keep your pantry stocked with the essentials: salt and pepper, flour, sugar, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, cooking spray, brown rice, pasta, soy sauce, ketchup and whatever else you frequently use.
Use a Slow Cooker
If you set your slow cooker before you leave for work in the morning, you'll come home to not only a ready-made meal, but also a house filled with a drool-worthy aroma. Yum!
Don't Precook Noodles
Use no-boil pasta noodles to speed preparation for family-style dishes like lasagna. Bonus: You can even make the whole thing in the slow cooker to keep it moist!
Stay Organized
It may seem like an investment in time, but you'll actually save time—and enjoy the cooking experience a lot more—if you start with an organized countertop set with the tools you'll need as you prepare your meal.
Make Enough for Leftovers
If you're spending time to make one delicious meal, double the portion at the beginning of the week to store and reheat for continuing deliciousness in the coming days.
Clean as You Go
Enjoy your meal—rather than dreading the chore that happens after it—by cleaning the kitchen as you go. Rinse and put away things as you wait for a dish to simmer on the stove with no added time commitment on the back end.