If you love to cook and are looking for ways to make it easier, this article is for you. I have compiled a list of 5 lazy hacks that will make cooking 2x as easy. These hacks are designed to cut down on time required by using simple kitchen tools and techniques. Best of all, they are super affordable and easy to get started with!
Use pre-chopped veggies.
Use pre-chopped veggies. If you’re in a rush, there’s no need to spend your precious minutes chopping veggies—look for the pre-chopped kind! With this lazy hacks, you can save time while still eating healthy. Just make sure to pick out veggies that are already chopped to the right size and shape, so they fit nicely into your recipe. For example, if you’re making tacos and want to include corn kernels in your salad topping or filling, buy some frozen corn kernels instead of fresh ones. They’ll be easy for anyone on hand who doesn’t know how long it takes to cut off the kernels from an ear of corn!
Ditch the recipe and use what you have.
There’s nothing to be gained from following recipes. If you’re making a burger, don’t go out and buy sesame buns. Use the bread you have on hand—maybe even something unconventional like pita or naan. You’ll probably end up with something delicious, and if not, at least it will be an adventure!
Since most people don’t appreciate eating leftovers as much as I do (and some folks completely hate them), this is another great way to make cooking faster. Don’t worry about whether or not your dish is finished; eat it when it’s done! You don’t need to wait for approval from those around you before you start enjoying yourself: go ahead and get creative with what’s already in front of you.
Hack your kitchen appliances.
Cooking is one of the few things in life that doesn’t get any easier with practice. You can become a master chef, but you’ll never be able to cook two dishes at once or teleport food from the fridge to your plate (not yet, anyway). As much as we want to believe otherwise, cooking takes time and effort—two things that are sometimes in short supply when our free time fill with work projects and social events.
Use the right equipment.
- A food processor is your friend. It can chop, slice, and make purees in seconds flat. I use mine at least once a week to quickly make hummus, salsa verde, and sometimes even my own peanut butter!
- A mandolin is also great for slicing vegetables and fruits (when used properly). Slice them thinly, so they cook quicker—and if you’re feeling ambitious, try dicing them into cubes or wedges as well.
- If you have a blender handy, throw together some smoothies or shakes. These will make your meals easier to digest and give you some extra energy that day!
Be realistic about how much time your meal takes.
If you’re in a rush, try making something you can prepare in 30 minutes and eaten right away. If you have more time, it might make sense to take the extra steps to make a meal that can last for multiple meals throughout the week.
Conclusion
Don’t get me wrong—cooking is still a challenge. But I know now that I can make it easier on myself by using these lazy hacks and tricks. And if you try them out, too, then we can both enjoy cooking even more!
