If you’re like most people who enjoy cooking and entertaining, putting together a meal is fun. At the same time, most people don’t like being stuck in the kitchen alone cooking and cleaning all day long. Thus, it’s desirable to seek a balance and use some go-to cooking shortcuts, ways to control time spent in the kitchen so that you can also experience being in the company of others. Here are some handy tips:
- Skip the three-course meal. Go for easy one dish dinners. Casseroles and quiches are great go-to recipes. Not only can they be quickly prepared in advance, but they are great crowd pleasers.
- Prep ahead. Cut, dice, chop, slice, premix, and marinate what you can ahead of time. For example, if your recipe requires onions, dice them a day ahead and place in a zipper bag and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Use a slow cooker. This chef-friendly device allows you to add ingredients together early in the day and slow cook foods throughout the day. What’s more, you can even keep foods warm until ready to serve. Plus, to save time and energy, you can serve directly from the crock.
- Buy premade. When short on time, take the best shortcut and buy ready-to-use pie crusts, phyllo dough, rolls, and more. Even celebrity chefs do it – without shame!
- Also consider buying appetizers you simply bake and serve such as pigs in the blanket or mini egg rolls. Or make them ahead, freeze them, and bake them from frozen.
- Prepare ready-to-serve cold side salads one day ahead. Consider easy recipes such as macaroni, broccoli, and potato salad. Be sure to refrigerate foods, especially those with mayonnaise, until ready to serve.
- Accept help in the kitchen. Should you wish to spend more time with guests, graciously take help that is offered to ease the task of cooking and cleaning. Or hire professional help.
- “Many hands make light work.” No place is this more true than in the kitchen. Allow others to cook and contribute. Should guests offer to bring food, simply say yes!
Hosting a party this year? Knowing that the holidays go by very fast, don’t miss out. Even for those who enjoy being in the kitchen, it’s still important to be present at your own event to maximize fun and ensure that your guests are comfortable. Thus, taking shortcuts, or using some of your own, are essential. And, if you’re the guest, offer to bring a dish or dessert or help the chef so that they may have some time off in the kitchen.
Please feel free to share with us some of your favorite kitchen shortcuts!
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Control the Mess
