With some advanced planning, busy working moms can manage to get it all done and still maintain their sanity. One thing that really helps to save time is to plan your dinners ahead of time, and do all your grocery shopping over the weekend. After that, you can cut weeknight dinner prep times drastically by taking care of some of the work ahead of time.
We eat brown rice several nights a week, but the trouble with this high-fiber grain is that it takes more time and effort to cook than, say, white rice or Pillsbury refrigerated biscuits. To shave off a few more minutes of dinner prep and clean-up, I pre-cook rice ahead of time. Then I store it in freezer-safe bags for when we need it.
I also do the same with chicken breasts. Some of my favorite casserole recipes call for “cooked, cubed chicken”. And who has time to bake chicken, then bake a casserole on a busy weeknight? So, usually over the weekend, I pre-bake several chicken breasts. Then it’s all ready to be chunked and thrown in your casserole or doused in some homemade Alfredo sauce and served over pasta!
Another make-ahead chicken alternative is to put some chicken breasts in a crock pot with a little seasoning and stock, then let it cook for 6-8 hours while you enjoy your weekend with your family. It shreds on its own once it’s done, and works great for a fast-fix dinner like these chicken wraps. Yum!
You can also take advantage of the fresh-frozen packages of vegetables that have been pre-peeled and cut. Just make sure they are preservative-free. Although it is a bit more expensive, occasionally I like to use pre-trimmed vegetables in recipes. I figure I save time and the trade-off is more time with my loved ones, and who can put a price on that?
As much as I love spending time in the kitchen, I DON’T love all the prep work that goes into every home-cooked meal. Be sure to share any of your won tips in the comments below!
Don’t miss these working-mom timesaver posts:
Finding time for Working Moms
A Kitchen Quick Tip
Make the Most of your Time
Tips to Save Time in the Kitchen