I hope you’ve had a chance to shop and start cooking the meals you’ve planned. I really hope you’re enjoying gathering around the table together each night. That’s what this is really all about.
I want to share a couple of quick cooking tips with you. I love to cook, but on a weeknight I want it to be fast so I can get on with other things in life. So I’ve learned a few tricks that speed things along in the kitchen.
A sharp knife is essential!
It’s impossible to cook quickly with a dull knife. If you don’t have a good knife, get yourself one as soon as possible. It doesn’t have to be the highest quality. Just a sharp knife, a cutting board that won’t dull the knife (no glass cutting boards) and a knife sharpener to keep it in top condition.
The amount of time you’ll shave off your prep process each night will add up quickly. It’s so worth the investment!
Don’t be a perfectionist.
When chopping vegetables, aim for quick instead of perfect pieces. Here’s how I chop cauliflower in just 1 minute. Use the same technique for broccoli. The goal is to just get it done.
Make use of cooked meat in the freezer.
We talked about this on Day 1, but it bears repeating. It really is a huge time saver to have cooked chicken or cooked ground beef ready to go. Both of these thaw quickly in the microwave and are ready to add to a recipe in just a minute or two.
In an ideal world, we would all have time for elaborate dinner prep. We’d make our time in the kitchen unhurried. Sometimes those slow evenings happen and it’s wonderful when it does.
But many nights dinner prep happens fast and furious, either coming at the tail end of a long day or squeezed in between activities.
I’d much rather get the cooking done fast, even if it means it’s not perfect. I want to have a nutritious meal with my family, preferably with plenty of time around the table to eat together. And I’m willing to sacrifice the “right” way to do things for just getting it done.
Dinner doesn’t have to be perfect or elaborate. A simple meal with your family is a weeknight gift. Enjoy it!
Whether you’re having pot roast or grilled cheese sandwiches, the important thing is that you’re having dinner together.
Tiffany
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