3 Time-Saving Kitchen Hacks for the Holidays

By Hescott Nutrition Services | posted in December 2022 | Semi-Homemade, Cook Once, Eat Twice, Sheet Pan, One Pot Meals, Christmas Hacks, Holiday Kitchen Hacks, Instant Pot, Christmas Parties, Christmas Shortcuts, Go Semi-Homemade, Culinary Triumph, Time-Saving Hacks.

For the majority of us, the holidays this year look very different: Christmas parties, school concerts, family get-togethers, shopping, and vacations may not take place precisely the same way, but we will all still be VERY busy. Give yourself the gift of using some Christmas shortcuts and tricks to relieve some of the pressure, allowing you to unwind and enjoy family get-togethers rather than sulk in the kitchen.

Go Semi-Homemade

Obviously, we are big fans of cooking around here, but occasionally, cutting corners may transform a night that could otherwise involve takeout into a complete culinary triumph. See illustrations below:

• Grab a rotisserie chicken and incorporate it into soups or chilis so you can reap the benefits of high-quality protein without spending extra time cooking it. Shred the chicken and stuffed lettuce leaves with a squeeze of lime for lunch.
• Start with your favorite frozen pizza dough, then add your favorite jarred sauce and vegetable toppings plus a sprinkle of flavorful low-fat cheese to make it a meal!
• Buy pre-chopped produce, especially those hard-to-manage vegetables (ahem, squash) that are more time-intensive to prepare. Toss with a tablespoon of olive oil and roast for a side dish or added to salads during the week.

Cook Once, Eat Twice

Batch cooking is a practical approach to sticking to your healthy eating objectives. It basically entails cooking more food than you need so you can utilize the many cooking utensils and gadgets available (read: it's way more efficient!). Batch cooking, which should not be confused with leftovers, usually refers to one ingredient, so you can use it again later. Consider this:

• Need rice or quinoa for your Christmas dinner? Make a large batch so you can easily incorporate it in salads and grain bowls all week long.
• Making hard-boiled eggs? It takes the same amount of time to make six as it does to make two. Enjoy as a snack, crumble into salads, or mash with some avocado.
• Baking sweet potatoes? Make a few more than you need and you'll have the base for an easy, customizable lunch ready to go. You can also purée or mash the flesh for baked goods and use it in place of pumpkin in a recipe.

Sheet Pan and One Pot Meals

Raise your hand if the cleanup is your least favorite part of cooking. We understand! Search for one-dish meals to drastically reduce the amount of time you spend doing the dishes. Here are a few examples to get you started:

• Create baking pockets by lining foil with parchment then crimping for perfectly roasted fish that stays juicy, never dry.
• Roasting your favorite protein with seasonal produce is a tasty no-fuss way to incorporate a few servings of vegetables into a meal.
• Have you figured out how to use your Instant Pot yet? Now would be an excellent time! With this safe and simple pressure cooker, you can quickly bring frozen proteins to the table. A quick 12-minute recipe: a frozen protein like chicken thighs with your favorite jarred tomato sauce, and a jar of olives will result in a delicious cacciatore that will have everyone rushing to the table for dinner. If you use plant-based protein, such as dried chickpeas, soak them overnight and cover them with jarred sauce and broth before cooking in the Instant Pot.

In conclusion, if you decide to cook with one or all three options, you will gain time-saving benefits from implementing any of these options - semi-homemade, batch cooking, and one-pot meals. If you are still looking for a last-minute gift idea for a loved one, grab a copy of a ONE POT MEALS recipe pack TODAY!

If you have questions, contact our office at 347-915-3738.