Food Prep Time
Healthy eating takes some work and prepping those meals can take some time. You need to know what you need to know what you are making, get the ingredients, and make the food. This all adds up to time. In the long run, you are saving time, but you also need time to create these culinary masterpieces.
Tips to Cut Prep Time
1. Unpack that Food Processor
Search in the cabinets or dust off the food processor that is on the counter. You probably have one of these, and you may not realize that it can be used for more than making an ice cream shake for one of the kids. These newer models are big-time multitaskers. You can slice, shred, chop, grind and puree. Grind a hunk of Parmesan, grate your veggies, all that can be done, as well as making homemade baby food, nut butters, hummus, guacamole, and almond milk. Some machines have the ability to be used as juicers, or they can knead doughs or mix cake batter. The food processors have increased options and accessories, so use them to their full potential to help you.
2. Go Organic
Many dishes call for you to peel carrots which takes a bit of time. There is no need to do that just because the recipes say to do that. Leaving the skins on gives you more fiber. So, wash them thoroughly and stick them in the roasting pan or food processor. You can also do this with potatoes, sweet potatoes, and beets. They each have a thinner skin. The organic vegetables are your best choice here.
3. Save time
Instead of making rice or other heavy starches which can often take more than a half an hour, how about cauliflower rice?
Place cleaned cauliflower chunks in your food processor and pulse until broken down into rice-size pieces. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; add the cauliflower ‘rice,’ salt & pepper. Cover the skillet and cook until heated throughout, which takes 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the lid and fluff ‘rice’ with a fork.
So much quicker!
Your prep time is time well spent. That time sets you up to have smart choices to eat when you are in a hectic time crunch. I don’t know about you, but I am going to go get my food processor out and see what tricks mine does!
Happy Prep Time!