Families are busier than ever, but thankfully, meal prep is one area of life where a few time-saving strategies can make all the difference.
Make a Meal Plan
The first step to any good meal plan is creating a master list of meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) that you know your family will actually eat. You’ll want to be sure and mix in enough variety so that your family members aren’t rolling their eyes by week three.
From there, you’ll need to decide on what meals you plan on cooking that week and take inventory of what’s already in the kitchen before you head to the grocery store. You’ll want to do this around the same day each week to get in the habit of making this part of the weekly routine.
Freezer Meals for Busy Days
Even with a good meal plan, there are probably going to be those days when, by 9 AM, it’s obvious that there’s not going to be enough time in the day to cook a full meal. This is where the freezer meal backup plan comes in.
You’ll want to carve out some time in your schedule when you know you can make an extra meal that you can put in the freezer for those super busy days. How many you want to keep on deck is up to you (and how big your freezer is), but two or three never hurts.
Some meals freeze better than others, so be sure to pick recipes that thaw well. Stews and casseroles are usually a safe bet.
Simplify Recipes
Everyone likes a home-cooked meal made from scratch. The problem is that “from scratch” can be very time-consuming. Luckily, it’s pretty easy to simplify many classic recipes and still deliver a delicious meal the family will love.
Here are a few simple ways to take some of the work out of recipes:
- Opt for canned veggies over fresh
- Buy frozen or pre-sliced veggies
- Ask your grocery butcher to slice the meat you’d like to buy
- Invest in an Instant Pot or Crock Pot
- Instead of slicing garlic or ginger, buy the already-minced version
- Toss your meats and veggies on a baking sheet for an easy sheet pan dinner
- Make use of a preheating oven for roasting veggies that aren’t as sensitive to a fully heated oven
Involve the Family
There’s no reason not to get the entire family involved if they’re going to be eating the food, too. (Okay, babies and toddlers might be more trouble in the kitchen than help, but everyone else…) Bringing in the entire family to help with some aspect of the meal prep can take part of the load off your shoulders and will also help children be more confident and independent in the kitchen.
Even if it’s something as simple as grabbing a box of pasta from the pantry, dumping in a can of corn, or stirring a pot of chicken noodle soup, kids (and spouses) will gradually feel more comfortable and probably even enjoy helping with meal prep.
A well-designed and functional kitchen can make all the difference when it comes to meal prep. To learn more about the amenities and floor plans of the homes in the Crosswinds community, contact our team today.