By Muscle Media
If you’re as busy as most people, you’re always looking for convenient, fast, nutritious, yet not-too-expensive ways for cooking. It’s possible, with a little planning, to cook meals that are quick and easy without spending hours in the kitchen every day.
Try the following cooking suggestions:
- Cook several meals for the whole week at one time. It may take a bit more time up front but will pay off in the long run. It’s great to have a quick, ready-to-eat meal when you come home each evening. Try cooking a simple roast. Use part of it as a main meal and then use some for sandwiches, beef stroganoff or as part of a stir-fry. Fry several pounds of hamburger and make a casserole, taco meat or chili to freeze for use later in the week.
- After you return home from the grocery store, clean all the fruits and vegetables immediately. Later, all you’ll have to do is cook them or add them to a soup or salad.
- Get ideas from the cooking shows on T.V. There are great programs that show you how to make a healthy meal in a very short time.
- Develop a revolving recipe file. If you get bogged down by the idea of having to plan 30 meals a month, the recipe file is for you. Let family members choose some of their favorites. Flip to day five or fifteen and there is the meal just waiting to be cooked.
Enlist the help of the members of your family. As soon as the kids are old enough, divide the cooking responsibilities. Let everyone take turns with specific tasks for the whole meal. Pair these meals with fruit and veggies that have already been washed and cut-up and you’re ready for dinner.
- Share the cooking with friends or neighbors. Some people cook four or five of the same meal and then trade with other people. This works best when people share the same basic ideas on nutrition. It’s a great idea though for a varied, easy week of evening meals.
- Save coupons for those convenience things at the grocery store. They have entire entrees and dinners either prepared fresh or frozen. Although they may be rather pricy, with coupons, they’re good to have on hand for an evening when time is of the essence.
- It’s OK to eat out from time to time. Clip coupons for these occasions. If you have kids, keep a look-out for the places that have special prices for children. Even many fast-food restaurants are now trying to offer item choices that are healthier.
- Many larger cities have businesses that prepare food for the evening meal. They may seem expensive at first. But they are so convenient and available for one person or entire families. They offer many menu choices and even meals cooked for special diets. When you calculate the cost of groceries you buy and how often you eat out each week, this may work for you.
- Combine several of the above ideas into a plan that is best for you.