Meal prep is a term used to describe the process of planning and preparing a meal. It is a very time-consuming process, but if you follow the right steps, it can help you to save time and energy, and to ensure that your meals will be tasty and healthy.
Plan For 1-3 Recipes
Meal prepping is no fun but there’s a silver lining to the malaise. Not only will you save money in the long run but you’ll also have more time for the lady of the evening. The following tips should ensure your dinner prep gratification isn’t a nightmare.
First, let’s start with the basics. This includes a well-stocked fridge and freezer. Next, list your favorite foods and meals. For your aforementioned meal prepping list, try to stick with three or four types of foods. Once you’ve done that, it’s time to go into the kitchen and get cooking. It’s a great way to get some quality me time – sans tv or cell phone – and get your family eating healthier in the process. To prevent meal prepping burnout, take the time to get organised. And, as with most things in life, make sure to plan ahead. If you don’t, you’re likely to end up putting the best of your food in the garbage.
Store Ingredients
If you’re going to invest time and money in preparing your meals ahead of time, it pays to store your ingredients for meal prep in a way that prevents them from deteriorating over time. This can be accomplished by storing your food in containers that are tightly sealed to prevent spills and stains. Also, rotate your foods, so the oldest items are front and center.
The best way to go about this is to get yourself a couple of quality reusable containers and label your contents so you don’t forget which one you put where. It’s also a good idea to label the containers with the name of the food item and date to avoid duplicates. In addition, keep your lids and caps tight so the food doesn’t drip down on your hands. Lastly, consider preparing a list of staples to eat from to prevent impulse buying. These should include staples like pasta, yogurt, eggs, meats and fish.
Reheat Food
Meal prep involves prepping a meal in advance. It saves time and money. There are several ways to reheat food for meal prep. However, you need to know how to reheat your food properly. You can reheat your meal using an oven or a microwave. The method you choose depends on the type of food you’re reheating. Some foods take longer than others to reheat. For example, reheating meat will take longer than reheating vegetables.
When reheating meat, cover the dish with oil or butter. Allow the dish to reheat for at least 5 minutes. This will help keep the moisture in the meat. You can use a thermometer to determine the safe temperature of your meat. You can also stir the dish for even heating. Ideally, you want to reheat your meal in the oven. The oven provides gentle heat from all sides. If you’re reheating a dish that requires a lot of liquid, you can add extra water to the recipe.
Final Thought
Meal prepping is a great way to eat healthier, reduce food waste, and save money. It can also reduce the stress involved in trying new recipes. Meal prepping involves making food ahead of time. This can be as simple as preparing meals that reheat, or as complex as cooking entire meals in advance.
