| Many of us are time pressured. We want to cook | | | | ones that have fewer steps or ingredients. Some |
| healthy meals for our family but, between | | | | free recipes online will give preparation and |
| working long hours and spending time with our | | | | cooking times to help you plan. |
| partner and kids, we just haven't got time to | | | | * Use the microwave - speed up grilled chicken |
| cook, have we? | | | | by microwaving it first on medium high until it |
| Actually, there is time. By changing your methods, | | | | starts to turn white and then grill. |
| looking through your recipe collection for quick | | | | * Don't rush - Rushing around can cause mistakes |
| healthy recipes or searching online for free | | | | and accidents and therefore add more time to |
| recipes, you can cook healthy meals for your | | | | cooking. |
| family and do everything else that your busy | | | | * Don't be put off by recipes that seem to take |
| lifestyle requires. Ultimately, its all about 'efficiency' | | | | a long time. If you read the instructions carefully, |
| - in much the same way as business managers | | | | you will find that many recipes involve just 15 |
| use time and motion studies, you can refine your | | | | minutes prepartation and 45 minutes cooking in |
| kitchen techniques to be time efficient and sitll | | | | the oven. These are great for a busy lifestyle as |
| produce great cooking. | | | | the allow you to do other things during the 'oven |
| Here are 14 quick cooking tips to help you:- | | | | time'. |
| * If you are chopping onions, peppers or herbs, | | | | * Read through the recipe first and then gather |
| chop twice the amount and freeze - this will save | | | | together all of the ingredients and equipment you |
| time in the future as they will be on hand for | | | | will need before you start. |
| healthy recipes and vegetable recipes. | | | | * Prepare a washing up bowl of hot soapy water |
| * Spend a weekend re-organising your kitchen - | | | | so you can throw things in it to soak or wash up |
| move saucepans nearer to your cooker, keep | | | | when things are cooking. |
| knives in a block on the worktop or on a | | | | * Plan ahead and use shortcuts - buy ready |
| magnetic strip on the wall, hang utensils on hooks | | | | chopped vegetables and prepared salads. |
| above the work surface and know where | | | | * Ask your children to help by laying the table, |
| measuring jugs and bowls are. Having things to | | | | washing up and grating cheese etc. |
| hand and knowing where things are will cut down | | | | * Multi-task - while one thing is cooking prepare |
| preparation time. | | | | the next step. Its surprising how much time is |
| * Build a collection of recipes - keep a file on your | | | | saved if you can manages this. |
| computer or a ring binder file of favourite healthy | | | | Remember, although preparing quick meals is a |
| recipes which are quick to prepare and cook. | | | | great idea to help manage your busy life, it is also |
| Choose a range of recipes - diet recipes, | | | | important to 'cook with love'. Fast cooking does |
| vegetarian recipes, dessert recipes and low carb | | | | not have to be 'shoddy' or cut corners, you are, |
| recipes. | | | | after all, cooking for those you love the most and |
| * Use a magnetic, erasable shopping list board on | | | | they deserve your best. Remember to pay full |
| the fridge to note down items as you run low on | | | | attention to any recipe you are preparing, no |
| them. That way you will never run out of vital | | | | matter how quickly it is prepared - one moments |
| ingredients. | | | | loss of focus can result in a meal that is virtually |
| * Keep ingredients you use frequently on hand | | | | inedible, and nobody will enjoy that experience. |
| and within reach. | | | | I hope you find these quick cooking tips useful, |
| * When you have found some healthy recipes or | | | | and that you are able to maintain a healthy time |
| low fat recipes, read through them and choose | | | | family balance in your lives. |