Build a well-stocked pantry
The secret to creating quick and easy meals is building a well-stocked pantry that you can draw upon when you need dinner in a hurry. Begin to stock your pantry, fridge and freezer with basic ingredients such as canned goods, dry spices, grains, legumes, stock and oils.
Buy pre-prepared or frozen fruit and veg
Prewashed salad mixes might cost more than whole heads, but you often end up with less waste and more variety – plus they are often quicker and easier to prepare. Likewise, if your choice is between a whole head of broccoli and bulk or frozen florets, you may want to choose the latter, and just use what you need when you need it. Remember, frozen vegetables can pack just as much flavour and nutrients as fresh veggies.
Have a set list of dinner recipes
While you may like to try out your culinary skills in preparing new and exciting meals, weeknight dinner may not be the best time. You often end up spending way more time in the kitchen than you need, preparing a recipe you aren’t familiar with. Stick to the tried and tested and save the experimenting for the weekend. Spend time (with the family) deciding on a menu for the week and plan ahead.
Use a cooked chook
If you are thinking of making a Roast Chicken Salad for dinner, instead of roasting that chicken, opt for a store-bought pre-cooked one instead. Buying a ready-cooked chicken is a speedy way to bulk up meals and transform simple sideshow green salads to the main event with the addition of shredded pre-cooked chicken.
Try out Taco Tuesday
Taco shells or tortilla wraps make weeknight cooking a breeze. Simply fill with cooked mince, baked beans or crispy strips and top with salad and cheese for dinner in a flash.
Limit yourself to one pot
After a long day at work, you just want to be able to chuck everything into a pot and let it cook itself. By the time you have put on your comfies and slippers, this one-pot curry in a hurry will be ready to be eaten.
