How to Get Faster at Cooking

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Start by deciding AHEAD OF TIME what you would like to cook.

   If you can think 3-4 major meals ahead (make enough for some versatile leftovers)
2. 2

   Step 2: Check your cabinets and refrigerator for supply of ingredients (having it all there speeds things up)

   ,,,, Decide what takes the longest to cook (rice? beans? baked potatoes?).
   
   Figure out what can sit and stay warm while other things cook (rice? mashed potatoes? stew?) , This will be a major organizing factor , Special appliances out? Get those things started or rounded up. , wash potatoes and put in the oven, or get the rice started on a back burner or in the rice cooker) , assemble the salad, chop veggies for a soup or stir fry, arrange fruit for dessert) ,,,, This gives you time to recover from an error (forgot to heat up the gas grill...) or change plans (steaks still frozen...crap, send spouse out for rotisserie chicken and a bottle of gourmet barbecue sauce and kaiser rolls...shred chicken into sauce, heat in pan...serve on toasted kaiser rolls).
   
   If all is well with the "must cook just before serving" items, get started.
   
   Sauté those chicken breasts with lemon and capers, broil that salmon fillet, etc. ,,,,, Throw on a garnish to impress people (sprinkle a bit of dried parsley on the platter for the fish and put lemon slices by it if you have time).
   
   Skip this if you don't have time or aren't good at it.
   
   Presentation IS NOT everything. ,
3. 3

   Step 3: Make a list of what you need

4. 4

   Step 4: Shop all at once rather than for each meal

5. 5

   Step 5: When ready to cook a meal

6. 6

   Step 6: get the ingredients organized (if your cupboards are organized and you've checked for all the ingredients

7. 7

   Step 7: then you can leave them in the cupboards...if not

8. 8

   Step 8: get everything out and put it in one area where you can see it...use a table if you don't have enough counter space)

9. 9

   Step 9: THINK through the meal.

10. 10

    Step 10: Figure out what needs to finish cooking JUST before it is served.

11. 11

    Step 11: Do you need the oven heated up?

12. 12

    Step 12: Get the longest cooking item going first (e.g.

13. 13

    Step 13: Start on the medium length cooking or prep items that can sit and wait while other things are finished (e.g.

14. 14

    Step 14: Check on your longer cooking items and adjust temperatures/seasonings/etc as needed

15. 15

    Step 15: Get out serving platters/bowls and start to warm any that need warming or chill any that need chilling

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    Step 16: Ask someone to set the table or buffet if that hasn't been done hours ago

17. 17

    Step 17: Start the "must cook just before serving" items like steaks about 5 minutes earlier than you think you need to.

18. 18

    Step 18: While the final item is cooking

19. 19

    Step 19: get longer term items into serving dishes....roasted veggies on a nice (warmed) platter

20. 20

    Step 20: get the prepped salad out of the fridge

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    Step 21: rice into a warmed bowl with lid (or inverted plate if you don't have a lid)

22. 22

    Step 22: Check the final item for cooking/timing/seasoning

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    Step 23: Put utensils with the items that are already dished up and get someone to put them on the table or buffet

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    Step 24: Have the table setter get people to the table and serve the drinks

25. 25

    Step 25: Get the final item off the stove or out of the oven and onto/into the serving dish.

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    Step 26: Bring the final item to the table or buffet and chow down.

Detailed Guide

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