17 Great Tips for Faster and Easier Cooking

Everyone wants to cook great meals, but not everyone has the time and energy to do it. Life can get busy, and cooking can become a dreaded chore. However, there are ways to speed up the process and make cooking simpler and more enjoyable. Here are seventeen tips to help you cook faster and easier.

1. For faster prep have a decent knife and know how to sharpen it

One of the biggest stumbling blocks in cooking is a dull knife. Not only does it make cutting difficult, but it can also be dangerous. Invest in a good quality knife and learn how to sharpen it. A sharp knife will save you time and effort and make prep work much easier.

2. For faster cooking let someone else do the prep

While there is something satisfying about chopping your own vegetables, it can be time-consuming. Consider buying pre-chopped veggies from the store to save time. Most grocery stores carry a variety of pre-cut vegetables, and they can be of high quality.

3. For a tasty kick keep frozen herbs in your freezer

Fresh herbs add flavor to dishes, but they can be expensive and can go bad quickly. Keep frozen herbs in your freezer for an easy way to add flavor to your meals. Use twice as much as you would with fresh herbs, and remember that you can always grow your own herbs in the future.

4. For faster pasta blanch and freeze

If you’re short on time but craving pasta, pre-blanch it for six minutes and then freeze it on trays. When you’re ready to eat, reheat it in the sauce. Frozen pasta has a 1-2 month use-by date according to stilltasty.com.

5. For quicker weeknight meals prepare and freeze on the weekend

Use your weekend to prepare large quantities of food, and freeze individual or family-sized portions. Pop them in the microwave on a weeknight for a real meal. Try freezer-friendly recipes for inspiration.

6. For easy salads use a jar

Layer your salads in a jar with dressing and components, and shake and serve. It’s a great way to prepare salads in advance and take them on the go. Check out “30 Mason Jar Recipes: A Month Worth of “Salad in a Jar”.”

7. For sophisticated satisfaction jazz up a grilled cheese

A grilled cheese doesn’t have to be plain old sandwich. Add pickles or other toppings for some extra flavor. The Food Network has 50 ideas to spice up your grilled cheese.

8. For great canned soup add some extras

Canned soup can be bland, but you can make it better by adding hot sauce and other ingredients that pack a flavor punch, like parmesan cheese. Don’t forget to add a jazzed grilled cheese!

9. For great steaks, try thinner cuts

Thin cuts of steak are quick to cook and take marinades perfectly. Look for recipes for “Hangar steak” or watch this YouTube video where chef Jackson Lamb shows how to pan-sear thin steaks.

10. For a quick carb fix, microwave a russet potato

Microwaved potatoes can be ready in minutes and topped with all sorts of toppings to suit your taste. Check out “12 Creative Ways to Top a Baked Potato.”

11. For a fruit explosion make a smoothie out of frozen fruit

Smoothies are easy to make and are packed with nutrients. Blend your favorite fruit with yoghurt and customize with sweeteners and spices to your liking. Check out “The Top 20 Super Smoothies.”

12. For a brilliant breakfast, presoak your oatmeal and fruit

Presoak your oatmeal overnight and heat it up in the microwave in the morning. Customize with healthy add-ins like nuts, dried fruit and spices. Check out these “18 Delicious Add-Ins for Oatmeal.”

13. For radiant rice, presoak and use the absorption method

Brown rice can take time to cook, but presoaking helps. Overnight soaking with whey or an acid will tenderize and digest the rice easily. Check out “33 Cheap Ways to Spice up Brown Rice.”

14. For a captivating chicken dinner, try these rotisserie tips

Rotisserie chickens can be turned into delicious meals. Check out great recipes like “Speedy Enchiladas” and “Herbed Chicken Salad Sandwiches.”

15. For a quick chocolate fix, use your microwave

Make a brownie in a mug with your microwave. Add ice cream or powdered sugar to make it truly special. Check out this “Neat Trick for How to Make a Brownie in a Mug.”

16. For a quick dessert, try old-school ice cream sundaes

Ice cream sundaes are simple desserts, but they can be made into something spectacular with the right toppings. Try some of these “7 Spectacular Ice Cream Sundaes.”

17. For a late-night snack, try an omelet

Omelets are a classic late-night snack. Eating Well has compiled a list of “50 Inspiring Omelet Fillings” to get you started. With these tips and tricks, cooking can become a breeze. Save yourself time and hassle in the kitchen, and enjoy great meals that you’ll love.