4 Tips For Kitchen Efficiency

While it’s great to cook elaborate meals that require lots of prep work, most people simply don’t have enough time each day. However, just because you have a hectic schedule doesn’t mean you can’t whip up a delicious meal. Though you may not have time to braise a chicken or simmer a hearty stew, there are still numerous dishes you can make in only a matter of minutes. To truly make the most of your kitchen time, consider these four tips for cooking efficiently:

1. Learn proper technique 
   You’ll never be able to put together a soup, sandwich or pasta dish in a short amount of time if you haven’t mastered essential culinary techniques. It’s equally important to equip your kitchen with the proper tools for the job. Lifehacker recommends investing in a good set of knives and learning how to use each one correctly. Once you’ve mastered different cutting techniques, you’ll be able to efficiently chop up fruits, vegetables and other essential ingredients with ease.
2. Master quick meals 
   At the end of the day, there are certain dishes you simply won’t be able to put together in a limited window. You’re not going to be able to caramelize onions in 10 minutes  – plain and simple. Instead of trying to tackle the impossible, learn how to make a few staple dishes that can be made in 10 to 15 minutes. If you have a handful of quick meals, and keep the necessary ingredients for them on hand, you’ll be able to put together a delicious meal in no time.
3. Make large quantities 
   Passionate Homemaking advises making large quantities of meals when you do have extra time so that you have leftovers conveniently available. If you cook a homemade sauce or other main component of a dish, consider making enough to freeze some for later.
4. Prep your pans 
   Even if you’re trying to put together a meal in a jiffy, you still need to ensure that each component gets adequate cooking time. If you throw meat, veggies or other ingredients into a cold pan, it won’t cook as evenly and may end up underdone. Giving your pans enough time to heat up will actually save you time in the long run. What’s more, this method is efficient because you can chop and prep food while the pans are heating up.