The post Why You Should Seriously Consider Meal Prepping appeared first on Cooking 4 All.
]]>Streamlined Weekdays
Put an end to the “what’s for dinner?” dilemma. With meal prepping, you’ll have ready-to-eat meals waiting in the fridge, which should turn hectic weekdays into a breeze. This leaves more time for friends, homework, and Netflix marathons.
Budget-Friendly Eating
Say hello to money saving. Meal prepping also means buying ingredients in bulk, which can significantly shrink your grocery bill. Plus, this will keep you from being tempted into costly last-minute takeout orders.
Healthier Choices
With meals prepped and portioned ahead of time, you’re less likely to find yourself munching on unhealthy convenience foods. Choose nutritious recipes packed with vegetables and whole grains to fuel your body and boost your mood.
Room for Creativity
Meal prepping doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or variety. Get adventurous with your recipes and experiment with different cuisines, flavors, and ingredients. From freshly cut salads to bowls, stews, or noodles, the possibilities are endless.
The post Why You Should Seriously Consider Meal Prepping appeared first on Cooking 4 All.
]]>The post How to Meal Prep Like a Pro appeared first on Cooking 4 All.
]]>Chop up your vegetables in advance
From sandwiches to casseroles and everything in between, vegetables are included in plenty of healthy recipes. As a result, having all of your vegetables already chopped up will help you save precious time when the time comes to cook each meal. Put each sliced and diced vegetable in a separate container in the fridge for easy access.
Batch Cooking
If you know that you’re going to use the same recipe multiple times throughout the week or are perhaps cooking for multiple people, then batch cooking will make your life easier. Simply cook everything in a large batch and warm it in the microwave at mealtime.
Portion Meals Ahead Of Time
While this is the most complicated form of meal prep, this will save you the most time during dinnertime throughout the week. If you’ve completed your batch cooking, portion the meals and place them in separate containers – one for each individual. At dinnertime, all you’ll need to do is warm the food and give it to each member of your household.
The post How to Meal Prep Like a Pro appeared first on Cooking 4 All.
]]>The post Ingredients to Always Have in The Kitchen For Easy Meal Prep appeared first on Cooking 4 All.
]]>Seasonal Veggies
Having fresh seasonal veggies in your kitchen will help you maintain a healthy diet and prepare quick and nutritious meals in less than 30 minutes. Veggies like cauliflower, carrots, or zucchini are very versatile and you can easily turn them into delicious meals in no time.
Frozen Vegetables
If you don’t have time to go to the farmers market every other day, stocking your freezer with frozen veggies is also a great idea. Frozen veggies are just as nutritious and healthy as fresh vegetables and they can easily upgrade any dish.
Canned Beans
Canned beans are packed with nutrients and protein and are also easy to keep in the pantry for months. They make for a healthy and delicious addition to any meal like burritos, salads, pasta, and more.
Eggs
Eggs are a powerful protein source and a great breakfast option, but you can also add them to various meals or salads or eat as a snack.
The post Ingredients to Always Have in The Kitchen For Easy Meal Prep appeared first on Cooking 4 All.
]]>The post Expert Tips That’ll Make Meal Prep a Breeze appeared first on Cooking 4 All.
]]>Create a Menu Plan
The most important thing for successful meal prep is creating a menu plan for the week. Writing down a list of meals you want to cook will take some time, but it’ll also save you time and money in the long run.
Choose the Ingredients
Cooking with 20 different vegetables in one week is definitely going to be time-consuming, so make sure to focus on just a few staple ingredients when making a meal plan. For example, if you choose to cook with zucchini, you can prepare a variety of meals such as zucchini pasta, zucchini squash, or stuffed zucchini. This simple hack can save you lots of time and money, and make shopping and meal prep easier.
Get Help
Meal prepping and cooking is time consuming and overwhelming for most people, so keep in mind that you don’t have to do everything alone. Make this process easier by turning grocery shopping into family time, and recruit your family members to help with washing and chopping ingredients.
The post Expert Tips That’ll Make Meal Prep a Breeze appeared first on Cooking 4 All.
]]>The post How to Prep And Store Meals Like a Pro appeared first on Cooking 4 All.
]]>Leave to Cool Before Storing
The trick to preparing nice meals in advance is to let your food cool before you store it, which can prevent a build-up of condensation. If the food is hot and then sealed in a container or in the fridge, the condensation will make the food soggy and uninviting.
Use Plastic Containers
Plastic containers are best because they don’t get wet, they’re easily cleaned, and don’t change the flavor of the food.
Which Foods are Best?
Frozen fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and lean protein such as tofu and lentils are all great for storing. They don’t spoil and keep their flavor very well.
The post How to Prep And Store Meals Like a Pro appeared first on Cooking 4 All.
]]>The post Meal Prep Tips For People Who Hate Meal Prep appeared first on Cooking 4 All.
]]>
⠀ ⠀ Ingredients⠀ 6 6 ounces boneless skinless chicken breasts⠀ 1/4 cup olive oil⠀ 1/4 cup lemon juice plus the zest for the lemons⠀ 2 teaspoons oregano⠀ 4 garlic cloves pressed⠀ 1/2 teaspoon salt⠀ 1/4 teaspoon pepper⠀ parsley or cilantro for serving⠀ lemon wedges for serving⠀ ⠀ Instructions⠀ Pat chicken dry and pound chicken if some parts are too thick. Combine the olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, garlic, salt and pepper in a bowl or resealable freezer bag. Add chicken and toss well to combine. Marinate for at least 30 minute⠀ ⠀ Preheat grill or grill pan to medium high heat. Place chicken on the grill for 5-7 minutes. Use tongs to flip over and cook until juices run dry, approximately 5-7 more minutes. Discard extra marinade⠀ ⠀ Remove chicken from the grill. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with lemon wedges and vegetables, if desiredPrep Staples
You don’t have to prepare whole meals in advance to make your life easier; sometimes, all you need to do is prepare staples you know you’ll need every day. Pre-chop fruits and veggies, cook rice or quinoa, etc.
Switch it Up
There’s no rule that says you have to have the same dinner every night for the whole week. You can, for example, roast a chicken and use it in different ways every day. The same goes for grilled tofu, brown rice, and many other “plain” meals.
Don’t Use Plastic Containers
Unless you have to take your food with you outside of the home, there’s really no reason to store it in plastic containers, no matter how much they are associated with the idea of meal prep. You can use bowls and other dishes you already have at home!
The post Meal Prep Tips For People Who Hate Meal Prep appeared first on Cooking 4 All.
]]>