10 Ways to Find Time to Cook

Victoria von Biel
Updated
still life with 2 kitchen aprons hanging

Aprons

still life with 2 kitchen aprons hanging

That's the key: simple. So, if you're one of those people who feels they don't have enough time to cook (and I know there are a lot of you out there), here are a few tips for getting yourself back in the kitchen, wine optional.

  1. Cut back on Tweeting, updating your Facebook page, and searching for YouTube videos of piano playing cats. If you have time to do that, you have time to cook.

  2. Remember why you're doing this. When you cook your own food with fresh ingredients, you're eating better, more delicious, and much healthier food. Plus, cooking is fun. Really.

  3. Get inspired. You're more likely to want to cook if you find somerecipes that really make you want to get in the kitchen. Browse through magazines, cookbooks,and websites and look for dishes that sound doable anddelicious.

  4. Build up your repertoire of quick meals. These 15 dishes can be prepped in 15 minutes or less.

  5. Sketch out meals for the week. Sounds obvious, but it's easy tooverlook. Unless you're planning to go shopping every day, you need toknow what you'll be cooking each day so you can make sure you have allthe ingredients.

  6. Keep your pantry well stocked with pasta, pasta sauce,canned beans and tomatoes, tuna, polenta, rice, capers, herbs and otheringredients that can go into your favorite recipes.

  7. Spend a few hours on Sunday cooking so you have something to eat during the week. This spaghetti sauce is amazing: delicious, easy, and cheap. Chilis, stews, and soups are good, too, and actually improve in flavor if made a day or two ahead.

  8. Use your slow cooker. It may not be glamorous, but it is convenient. Throw in ingredients in the morning and come home to something delicious in the evening.

  9. Buy a rice cooker. I have a colleague who swears by his. It takes all the guesswork out and is one less thing you have to think about.

  10. Share the load. I happen to enjoy doing all the cooking myself, but I know people who hate cooking because it can seem like they're doing all the work themselves. If that's how you feel, ask for help. If you have kids, get them involved. You might be surprised at how much they enjoy it.