Life Hacks for Cooking

• Use frozen vegetables: Frozen vegetables can be just as nutritious as fresh ones and are often cheaper. Simply thaw or steam them to use in your recipes.

  
  

• Plan meals around what's on sale: Check the weekly grocery ads and plan your meals around the items that are on sale. This can help reduce your grocery bill and make cooking more budget-friendly.

  
  

• Keep a "clean-out-the-fridge" night: Designate one night a week to use up leftovers and ingredients that are near expiration. This can help reduce food waste and save you money.

  
  

• Prep in advance: Chop vegetables, marinate meats, and prep other ingredients in advance to make cooking faster and more efficient.

  
  

• Use one-pot meals: One-pot meals like stir-fries, skillet dinners, and soups can be quick, easy, and cleanup is a breeze.

  
  

• Don't overcomplicate recipes: Simple recipes can be just as delicious as complex ones. Focus on using high-quality ingredients and basic cooking techniques.

  
  

• Use the "mise en place" technique: This French term means "everything in its place." Prepare and organize all your ingredients before starting to cook to make the process smoother and more efficient.

  
  

• Freeze herbs: Fresh herbs can go bad quickly. Chop them up and freeze them in ice cube trays with olive oil or water to use later.

  
  

• Use citrus juice to brighten flavors: A squeeze of fresh citrus juice can add brightness and depth to many dishes.

  
  

• Don't overcrowd your pans: Cook food in batches if necessary, to ensure that each item has enough room to cook evenly. This can help prevent steaming instead of browning.