I like to cook almost every night. This is known to basically everyone who has ever come into my apartment. But I don’t use the same technique every night, and I get that not everyone has enough time to prep and cook every night. I don’t even have enough time to prep and cook every night! (Hello, evening classes…)
So in this post, I’ll be giving a quick rundown of three general cooking techniques, with links to recipes (and recipe lists) that may help inspire you.
Technique #1: Slow Cooking
I LOVE using my slow-cooker. To be honest, I do not use it enough. Slow cookers are great, especially because you can use “dump dinners”, meaning you put everything into your slow cooker and ignore it. And you can ignore it for the entire day in many cases. Think about that. You put all your ingredients in in the morning and when you get home, dinner is ready. Bonus tip: you can buy slow cooker liners at your grocery store or big box store to cut down on cleanup.
Slow cookers work best for things like stews, chili, and meat that can be cooked for a long time (think carnitas, short ribs, brisket, etc.), but they can also be used for things like lasagna (this is also super helpful in the summer when you do not want to turn on your oven), chowders, and curries.
For reference:
The Kitchn’s 10 Most Popular Slow Cooker Recipes of All Time
A list of “dump dinners” for fall, most of which you can make in a slow cooker; list includes things like veggie lasagna, three bean chili, and General Tso’s chicken.
This list of “dump dinners” for winter, all of which you can make in a slow cooker; list includes things like pork carnitas, eggplant lasagna, and mushroom mac and cheese.
This list of vegetarian slow cooker meals, including lentil butternut squash curry, black bean and pumpkin chili, and a slow cooker barley risotto. (I can personally vouch for both the lentil butternut squash curry and the barley risotto.)
This southwestern brisket and this tangy brisket from Smitten Kitchen
This collection of slow cooker recipes from Pinch of Yum
Bonus tip #2: Crock-pot makes a “lunch crock”, in which you can slowly rewarm soups, stews, chili, meat, etc. Pro tip: the lunch crock is definitely the best way to reheat meatballs. Every member of my family owns one of these, if only because it is the best way to reheat meatballs.
Technique #2: Freezer Meals
Freezer meals are one of the best ways to meal prep, provided you actually have some freezer space. Set aside some time on a weekend to prepare these recipes, throw them in the freezer, and you’re ready to go for an easy-to-cook (or simply heat) weeknight meal. I do this with things like meatballs and taco meat, but you can also prepare stir fry ingredients, stew ingredients, etc. Some of these freezer meals can even go directly into your slow cooker. Think of it as Prep Day You doing Cooking Day You a big favor.
For reference:
This list of actually good freezer meals from Pinch of Yum
This collection of 25 freezer-friendly meals from the Kitchn
This list of vegetarian freezer meals so that you can plan your meatless Mondays in advance
This list of make-ahead freezer meals for when things are just really busy
This shrimp stir fry freezer pack and these freezer chicken enchiladas from Damn Delicious (check out her list of freezer-friendly recipes here)
Technique #3: Sheet Pan Meals
I recently introduced my mom to the concept of sheet pan meals and she loved it. I honestly wish this concept had been on her radar when I was growing up. The beauty of the sheet pan meal is twofold: first, there is only one pan, which means there is minimal cleanup, and second, once you put everything on the pan, you can ignore it while it cooks in the oven and go about other things you need to do like cleaning, reading, calling your parents, etc. I use sheet pan recipes all the time, and just got my sister a cookbook specifically dedicated to sheet pan dinners. They are super convenient and a great way to get a solid meal made with relatively little active effort.
For reference:
This list of vegetarian sheet pan dinners (because vegetarian cooking should be easy, too!)
This list of easy, time-saving sheet pan recipes, including a sheet pan shrimp boil, honey sesame tofu with green beans, and balsamic chicken and veggies.
Wasabi salmon with bok choy from Bon Appetite
Sheet pan shrimp fajitas from The Blond Cook
Sheet pan tofu and veggie bowls with ginger peanut sauce from She Likes Food
Sheet pan sausage and veggies from Chelsea’s Messy Apron
Garlic-Parmesan chicken tenders with green beans and cherry tomatoes from Cooking Classy
Baked chicken Parmesan from Gimme Some Oven
Brussels Sprouts, Bacon and Eggs from Damn Delicious (leave out the bacon to make it vegetarian; also, this is one of my favorite easy dinners)
Don’t let a lack of time during the week keep you from eating tasty and healthy food. Planning ahead and using techniques like these can save you time and make your life a lot easier, so take advantage of the many many recipes out there and go cook!
Grad School Girl Eats 