5 Powerful Kitchen Time Saving Tips for Time-Starved Cooks
I love to cook, and I enjoy myself in the kitchen.
But enjoying means being innovative and productive so that I can finish cooking fast without sacrificing quality. Doing more means cooking more, more and more recipes.
Before, it would take me forever to prepare and cook one recipe, but years of cooking taught me that utilizing the things I’ve learned, which are outlined below, will save you time and let you spend more time on what matters most.
1. Sharpen Your Knives Regularly
Nothing is more annoying than a blunt knife. A dull blade slows you down and reduces your precision skills. It also poses safety hazards by using more force as you dice and slice, which increases slips and accidental cuts.
Choosing the right sharpening tool is also critical. I used to have a whetstone, but sharpening knives was a hit-and-miss and took forever. Now, I use an electric sharpener, which only takes a few minutes to sharpen my three favorite knives.
Tips:
- To test the sharpness of your knife, try slicing a piece of paper or a tomato. Your knife is good to go if it goes through easily and quickly.
- Investing in high-quality knives and sharpening appliances is one of the best investments you will ever make.
Warning:
A sharp knife poses a risk as well. A slight mistake can cut you, so be very careful. Use best practices, e.g., hold your ingredients with your curled hands while slicing or use gloves resistant to knife cuts.
2. Invest in Time-Saving Appliances
If you have the correct appliances, you will reduce your cooking time without compromising quality. Imagine them as your personal assistants, helping you save time and ensure quality, especially with monotonous tasks.
Here are two examples: a pressure cooker tenderizes your meats in minutes instead of hours, and a food processor dices your ingredients faster than doing it manually.
Investing in time-saving appliances that won’t break your budget is highly advised. The return on Investment (ROI) will make up for the time you will save.
3. Be Organized—Always
The benefits of being organized. A well-organized kitchen looks pleasant to the eyes and advocates efficiency. When everything is in its proper location, you will spend less time searching for tools, ingredients, or equipment.
Assign different locations for ingredient preparation, cooking, and plating. Make sure that regularly used items are near you. Label the items in your kitchen, containers, and even drawers. It is important to keep a tidy workplace to prevent the accumulation of used utensils that could adversely affect how you cook.
Establish distinct zones for food preparation, cooking, and plating. Ensure that regularly used goods are within easy reach. Label items in your pantry, containers, and even drawers so that you can quickly find what you require. It is important to regularly clean and tidy your workspace to prevent an accumulation of mess that could potentially impede your ability to cook.
Tip:
- Use stackable containers and magnetic holders for your knife and other metallic utensils.
4. Do Not Multi-Task
Multitasking might seem like a productive strategy for getting more things done; however, it often leads to divided attention, especially when doing multiple tasks simultaneously.
This will lead to mistakes, inefficiencies, and constant stress. I will not lie about how I burned garlic more than once because I was doing two things at the same time. It was so frustrating to clean the wok and do the process again, notwithstanding the smell of burned garlic that lingered for a day.
It doesn’t always happen, but you will waste more time than save it once it does.
Tip:
Investing in appliances with timers and auto-shutoff in emergencies will help you accomplish 2 to 3 things at once.
5. Have a Checklist
A checklist guarantees you will not overlook an important ingredient or a critical step in the process. It also minimizes stress when deciding, allowing you to focus more on the cooking process and less on wondering what the next step will be.
You may not need a checklist if you do something you have done a thousand times. But if you are facing a new recipe or increasing the batch of your cooking, a checklist is beneficial.
Incorporate these five tips into your cooking, and you will have more time to spend where it matters most. Whether making a simple meal or a feast, these tips will help you work more efficiently.
