If you have ever been involved in a dinner situation where a lot of boys or men have been involved, then you know how important it is to get dinner on the table as fast as possible. Whether you are planning a big meal or have a house full of hungry people all the time, you might need some tricks to help you get moving quicker.
Have Good Timing
If it has been a while since you have cooked a dish, or you are trying something new, read over the instructions a few times before you start cooking so you have an idea of what to do. Also, if part of your dish will take longer than others, start it earlier before you prep other things so everything will be done at roughly the same time.
Prep Your Ingredients
You may not be able to prep everything at once, but getting as much as you can done will be very beneficial. Chop anything that needs to be chopped like vegetables and herbs. You could also measure out any dry and liquid ingredients like flour and oil to set aside until you need them.
Keep the Essentials Close
We always seem to need something while we are cooking that is either across the kitchen or put away. Keep things like oil, cooking spray, salt and pepper, and other spices within reach of your cooking or prep area. This will save you from going on a manhunt later when you can’t find it or can’t leave the stove.
Plan Your Defrost
If you know you are going to cook something that is in the freezer, make sure you take it out at least the morning before you cook it. If not, you will either have to put it in water or defrost it in the microwave which is not as fast as you might want it to be. Taking it out the night before might be even safer, especially if it is in the winter.
Salt is Not the Answer
If you have ever heard of putting salt in the water to help it boil faster, then you should ignore that. Because salt actually raises the boiling temperature of water, it will only take longer to boil. If you are boiling water, add the salt after it starts boiling, especially if you are cooking a meal with pasta.
Easy Substitutes
If you want to go super fast in getting dinner ready, then buying things that are already prepared and ready to go might be easier. Do not buy lettuce that you have to wash and chop. Making something with tuna? Buy it in the can. If you are doing something with chicken, see if your deli does a rotisserie chicken. All you have to do is pull it off the bone and shred it or cut it depending on your dish. Do not make life hard when it comes to a speedy dinner.