Save Time Tips

Cut soup, steak and stir-fry ingredients into smaller pieces to reduce cooking time. Keep any extras in the fridge to add to other weeknight meals.
Use hot water to quickly thaw frozen vegetables for pasta. Either pour the hot water drained from pasta over the veggies in a colander or add them directly to pasta during the last minute of cooking time.
Use kitchen scissors to snip ingredients like green onions and sundried tomatoes into small pieces. It's quicker than chopping.
Use two or more kitchen appliances simultaneously to cut cooking time during meal preparations. For example, you can microwave veggies while pan-frying meat.
Consider making twice as much rice or pasta and freeze for another night. Thaw quickly under hot water.
Preparing dinner can be easier if you plan ahead to have leftovers. Roast a turkey breast or an extra large chicken one night. Then enjoy an easy meal using the leftovers the next night. Check out Double Duty Dishes.
Cook ground beef or ground chicken in advance. Portion into one meal size and freeze for up to 4 months. Next time you make chili, tacos, spaghetti or lasagna you won't have to take the time to cook the meat.
Cook ground beef in a plastic colander set in a bowl in the microwave and eliminate the draining step required with the traditional frying method.
Give potatoes a head start. Partially cook them in the microwave before frying, baking or boiling.
Cut veggies on the weekend and keep them in the fridge. You can snack on them, add them to stir-fries or stews or take them for lunch.
Freeze leftovers in single serving sizes for a quick and easy microwave meal later on in the week.

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Save Time Tips