It’s often as though time goes two times faster when you’re in the kitchen. Juggling work, family, and other responsibilities makes cooking delicious meals such a daunting task. But that’s why we are here — to make life a little easier for you.
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We have put together some kitchen productivity hacks that will help you streamline your cooking process so you can make great meals without stress. Are you ready? Let’s jump right in!
The Professional Chefs’ Trick
Ever wonder how professional chefs whip up meals so quickly? Their secret is “mise en place.” Mise en place is a fancy French term for having everything in its place.
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So, the chef’s trick is all about dedicating some time before cooking to organize all the needed ingredients, chopping, measuring, and a lot more. This process will help you move through your recipes faster with fewer mistakes.
Invest in a Good Knife Set
A sharp knife is a cook’s best tool and friend. You can ask any cook you know. A sharp and good quality knife set makes chopping faster, safer, and more satisfying, which in turn makes the whole cooking process easier and faster.
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When you have successfully gotten a good knife set, do not forget to keep them sharp with regular honing so they can always come through for you.
Clean as You Cook
Nothing slows down your cooking and makes it a lot more stressful than a cluttered kitchen. It is important to keep your workspace as organized and clean as possible as you cook.
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Wipe off the surface once you’re done working on it, put away ingredients after using them, and wash utensils as you use them. By the time your meal is ready, your kitchen will be too.
Plan Your Meals
Yes! Plan your meals. We know meal planning can be a bit tedious, but it’s a huge timesaver. Make it a habit to spend a little time each week planning your meals and writing a shopping list.
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Knowing what you’re going to cook each day and having everything you need in the house eliminates the last-minute scramble about what to eat and how to get all that’s needed.
Store Ingredients Smartly
Keeping your pantry, fridge, and freezer organized can significantly boost your kitchen’s productivity. Learn to store similar items together and then label everything. Remember to keep frequently used items within your reach.
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The fact is that, when everything has its place, you’ll spend less time searching for ingredients.
Make Use of Leftovers
Leftovers are not to be trashed. Sometimes, they can come in handy and save the day. You can even use them to create new meals with minimal effort. That roast chicken can be used for chicken salad, tacos, or soup.
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Recreating leftovers for other meals saves time and reduces food waste, making your cooking more efficient.
Your Microwave Can Do More
Your microwave isn’t just for reheating leftovers. You can use them more to make your time in the kitchen more efficient and productive. Your micro oven can be used to quickly steam vegetables, soften butter, or even cook an entire meal.
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It’s such a versatile tool that can save minutes of cooking time. Ensure to experiment with it on your next cooking day.
Quick Marinade Trick
Marinating meat and veggies adds incredible flavor to meals. However, we’ve heard cases of people skipping the process because of the ridiculous length of time it takes to marinate to get maximum flavor.
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But does it necessarily have to take that long? We don’t think so. You can simply use a fork to poke holes in your meat before marinating to help the flavors penetrate faster.
Use Pre-Made Ingredients
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with using pre-made ingredients to save time. Pre-cut veggies, rotisserie chicken, and canned beans are all great options. They cut down on prep time without sacrificing the flavor of your meal.
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When you combine these premade ingredients with fresh ones, you will have a meal that is both quick and delicious.
Opt for Pre-Chopped Garlic Sometimes
Fresh garlic is a staple in many dishes, but peeling and chopping it can be a pain. Hence, you can save time by buying pre-peeled garlic cloves, or better yet, pre-chopped garlic.
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While pre-peeled and pre-chopped options are fine, you can also chop a bunch yourself and keep it in a little olive oil to keep it fresh.
Save Time and Effort!
With these kitchen productivity hacks, you will find out that cooking can be both efficient and enjoyable. From speedy prep techniques to smart use of appliances, these hacks will help you create the tastiest meals with less effort, time, and more fun.
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Please, do not forget to use one or two of these hacks during your next cooking time.
