With all the amazing kitchen gadgets and gizmos that are now available, cooking is made easier than ever. There are easy choppers, meat tenderizers, blenders, stovetop grills, and a sundry of microwaveable steamers that are all designed to make meals that are ready in minutes.
But there is still one task that usually takes up a lot of time, and that is deciding what you are actually going to prepare. The solution to this perennial problem is quite simple, and it only takes a piece of paper, a pen, and a little planning.
Making a meal plan means mapping out what you will prepare for a week, or even two weeks in advance. There are several advantages of having a meal plan handy. It helps reduce time in making a grocery list. And if you know exactly what you are going to prepare a few days in advance, you can be confident that all the ingredients are already in your pantry. A meal plan can also help you adjust your food budget, and of course, you will always have a ready answer to the age-old question “What’s for dinner?”
Here are the steps to help you on your way to making your own meal map:
- Graph your grid. You can choose to use an Excel spreadsheet, or simply grab a ruler and some paper and create your columns. Leave enough space for notes, such as a need to marinate overnight, special ingredients that you may need, etc.
- Choose your recipes. List down your repertoire, keeping in mind the food favorites of your family members. Browse through cookbooks and check cooking blogs online. Many food products also offer free easy recipes at the back of their labels. Don’t hesitate to ask your friends and relatives for their favorite family recipes, and add them to your recipe bank.
- Make your meal moves. Now that you have a list of what you want to cook, you can start fitting them into your grids. Rotate your dishes, so you don’t get repetitive. Give at least two to three weeks before cooking them again. You don’t have to follow your plan to the letter. Make allowances for days when your family simply feels like eating out, or if you have no time to cook. You can also make provisions to use your food leftovers and turn them into a completely new dish. That way, you not only de-clutter your ref, you save on market money too!
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References:
www.unclutterer.com
http://menu-planning.suite101.com
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- Tips and Tricks In Cooking Rice
- Storing and Proper Handling of Herbs and Spices
- Storing and Proper Handling of Fruits
- Storing and Proper Handling of Vegetables
- Storing and Proper Handling of Fishes
- Storing and Proper Handling of Eggs
- Storing and Proper Handling of Beef
- Storing and Proper Handling of Pork
- Storing and Proper Handling of Poultry
- Kitchen Tips
- Making a Meal Matrix
- Essential kitchen tools and equipment
- Cooking Tips For Beginners
- What are Basic Cooking Methods
- Cooking Time With Family
- Cooking Measurement Equivalents and Conversion
- How to Make Silken Tofu
- How to Roast Pork
- How to Grill with Charcoal
- How to Broil
- How to Roast Beef
- How to Slice Poultry
- How to Stir-Fry
- How to Steam
- How to Bake Cakes
- How to Roast Chicken
- How to Slice Vegetables and Fruits
- How to Chop and Mince
- How to Sauté
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