I love food. More importantly I love cooking and there’s nothing better than on a Saturday night spending a few hours surgically attached to the kitchen accompanied by prime ingredients and a bottle of something very cold from Chile. I’ve cooked ever since I was a young child and in the sixties, when I had hair and attitude. I was a vegetarian and there wasn’t any packaged knit your own muesli, so cooking from raw ingredients was a necessity.
However during the working week, especially when you sometimes have to put in a ten hour day and run a blog, it’s not possible to spend prime time cooking but there are some simple ways you can eat well and quickly without resorting to BSE in a bun or processed food, freeing you up for more time to do whatever floats your boat.
Lifestyle turns into lifestyle design.
This is where lifestyle turns into lifestyle design, especially if in the past you have committed the heinous crime of relying on processed food. Cooking with fresh ingredients is generally substantially cheaper and healthier. So not only are you controlling the amount of salt and other “stuff that manufacturers use, but you end up with more money in your pocket that can be spent on that vacation you’re planning or buying that new digital camera. Changing your attitude to food can and will change your life.
Simple tips to help you save time and money.
1. Plan your week’s menu.
Ad hoc shopping for food generally results in a shocking waste of food as you stand before the vegetable basket and wondering what the hell goes with the piece of chicken you’re clutching for your night’s supper. Analyze your past cooking habits and I think you’ll be horrified at how much you either scrape into the waste bin at the end of a meal or discover in the vegetable basket all brown and curled up at the end of the week.
2. Plan your cooking time.
Get all the ingredients and utensils ready and organized. This will save you time running around like a headless chicken and putting your blood pressure through the roof.
3. Recycle food and use left over vegetables the next day.
One of my favourite heritage leftover dishes is called Bubble and Squeak comprising of pre-cooked potatoes, cabbage, carrots etc. being mashed into a multicolored thick paste (I know it sounds horrible but it still hits the spot today). I don’t know where the bubble came from but the squeak came from the sound of the dish being fried in beef dripping (fat). Naturally in this health conscious era you’d use a light olive or vegetable oil or you can bake it in the oven. Used vegetables can also be blitzed in a blender with vegetable stock to make a nutritious and quick soup.
4. Batch cook.
Instead of cooking a meal such as a curry or casserole for one night, double or triple the ingredients, portion them up and stick ‘em in a freezer to reheat next week or the week after. Not only does this free up cooking time but you save fuel as reheating uses less gas or electricity than cooking from scratch. Being organized and green, it’s a win-win situation!
5. Use smaller ingredients.
No, I don’t mean buy tiny vegetables but cut them up small and they take less cooking time and the food can be on your plate quicker – and you use less gas or electricity!
6. Go down the fast food route.
Nope, I am not advocating you bring home a Big Muck and extruded carbohydrate paste (I believe they call them fries!) but become an expert in Chinese or Thai cooking and a well planned and healthy meal can be prepped, cooked and on your plate in around 15 minutes.
7. Practice stacked cooking.
I love using steamers. I generally boil the potatoes in the saucepan and then have a series of steamers stacked on top of that in which I cook the other vegetables. Not only is the goodness of the vegetables not boiled out but you use one ring – yep, we are back to being green by using less fuel.
Let us know below what are some other tips you like to use to save money and time cooking.
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G'day! I'm Gordie, founder and editor-in-chief of Lifestyle Design For You. I want to welcome you to the center of the universe when it comes to lifestyle design and personal development blogs. We're a team of ten writers providing you with articles to help nourish your mind and improve your life. Lifestyle design is about designing your life so you can do what you want when you want. 
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Great Tips Kevin for the busy family on the run. I’m always using leftovers and creating extra dishes and freezing them.
Rose´s last blog ..Remembering My Mother
At the moment the village I live in is largely snowed in so making the best use of what we have is vital. Thankfully the freezer is adequately stocked with some bulk cooked meals but those sheep in the field at the back of us are looking very tasty
Kevin Tea´s last blog ..Task Management Doesn’t Get Simpler Than Task.fm
Kevin… lol Hopefully you won’t need to go after the sheep.
Rose´s last blog ..Social Media Backlink Checking
This post reminds me of how wasteful I have been in the past, cooking too much food, placing the leftovers in the refrigerator, only to throw it out at the end of the week because I don’t care for anything more than a couple of days old. I have gotten much better about that.
I love to fish and I always seal my catch in vacuum bags to keep for many months, avoiding freezer burn and waste. This has led my wife and I to seal home-made soups and other foods instead of allowing them to waste.
Cooking is something that I really enjoy and I appreciate these tips. Have to try that planning meals for the week thing.
Thanks, Kevin!
Jimi Jones´s last blog ..Is It a Good Time to be an Online Entrepreneur?
Jimi, I love fly fishing. It doesn’t matter if I catch anything, just being out in beautiful countryside is enough for me. I have invested in a smoker and my wife makes some wonderful smoked trout and sweet chilli fish cakes. Again, those we don’t use – or are cadged by neighbours – go into the freezer.
Kevin Tea´s last blog ..Task Management Doesn’t Get Simpler Than Task.fm
Smoked fish is a real treat, especially with cherry or hickory wood chips. Getting hungry just thinking about it.
There is a certain solitude about being out fishing, like you say, whether you catch anything or not. Here is a 35 pound Salmon I caught on lake Ontario http://blogonlinebiz.com/contact/
Jimi Jones´s last blog ..Is It a Good Time to be an Online Entrepreneur?
I have plan B, let others cook for you
Oscar – freestyle mind´s last blog ..Motivation 101: How to Stay Motivated
That works best for me too, Oscar.
Luddite
Kevin Tea´s last blog ..Are Malodorous Solids Hitting Rotating Blades In Browser Wars?
Hey Kevin,
I really liked the idea of stacked cooking. That’s a good way to cook things healthily and quickly. It’s like recycling the steam for several dishes.
Lean over it when it is cooking and you get a free facial at the same time
Kevin Tea´s last blog ..Are Malodorous Solids Hitting Rotating Blades In Browser Wars?
Hi Kevin:
Thanks for these tips…I love to cook, but don’t really have any strategies for making the process faster. I accept the fact that it will take me longer…but thanks to some of the tips I’ll try to speed up the process. I do agree with you about planning a week’s worth of menus in advance and that has helped. All being said, I love the fact that just about anything I make at home is better for me nutritionally than anything I pick up to go. And its so much cheaper. Thanks for the good info!
Tim´s last blog ..The Friendship Project: Peoplescape (Part One)
Welcome, Tim!
So true that anything prepared at home is pretty much going to be more nutritional for you. Also, you get to control what kind of oils and condiments are used whereas in a restaurant you have to take what they use.
Tim, you just have to remember to add loads of extra salt, sugar and monosodium glutamate to get that really authentic manufactured taste!
Kevin Tea´s last blog ..Are Malodorous Solids Hitting Rotating Blades In Browser Wars?
Totally with you on this. I always, always use fresh ingredients and love putting food together. I adopted the batch principal around a year ago. Basically pretty much everything I cook, I do two extra portions, and freeze them individually. Not only saves loads of time, but when you have overblogged on any given day and are suddenly thinking “What the hell are we going to eat tonight?” You have a choice of mouthwatering curries, soups, chillies and so on, ready to rock and roll.
Mike CJ´s last blog ..Arrrrgh! My Blog is Broken! Anatomy of a Worpdress Upgrade Crash
Okay, Mike. It sounds like you’re a decent chef. Looking forward to the dinner invite!
Ah yes that dreaded “what the hell moment” – I generally find a risotto can be knocked up from dried porcini and sticks of Spanish sausage I keep in the fridge.
Kevin Tea´s last blog ..Are Malodorous Solids Hitting Rotating Blades In Browser Wars?
I love to cook, but haven’t done it in quite a long time…thanks for the reminder, I’m sure my wife would appreciate some help on this one
I’m like you Nathan. I haven’t cooked since 2006. But that’s okay. I get by.
Hey Kevin ,
Very interesting and nice post. I have always considered planning before cooking meals for the week as the best way to work. Planning remains very important when cooking Indian food as it takes lot of time some times too. But best cooks could be those in India who could plan properly with different items.
Sudeep´s last blog ..5 Steps to Lose Extra pounds
Welcome, Sudeep!
Indian food is now my favorite since I’ve been living in China. People rave about Chinese food, but Indian is what hit’s my G-spot (G stands for “gastronomic”).
Hi Sudeep, I never liked Indian food as served in UK restaurants but discovered Anjum Anand and her recipes are just out of this world. Her red Goan chicken curry can be described in just one word – mouthgasm!
Kevin Tea´s last blog ..Are Malodorous Solids Hitting Rotating Blades In Browser Wars?
Great tips Kevin. I love cooking as well, but don’t like to rush it. I think that cooking is an art and art cannot be rushed. Problem is that the rest of the family doesn’t think so.
I never plan for a week. I only cook special occasions. You know us artists don’t do common. LOL
Robert Bravery´s last blog ..Top SEO Tools and Resources for Everybody – Firefox add-ons
Hi Robert,
What are some specialty dishes from South Africa?
Families! I don’t think they’ll ever catch on
Seriously, fast food doesn’t have to be “rushed” just planned and well executed. With a bitr of forethought you can have a Chinese, Thai or pasta dish ready in less than half an hour.
Kevin Tea´s last blog ..Are Malodorous Solids Hitting Rotating Blades In Browser Wars?
lol…”When I had hair and attitude” – Love it
I generally don’t cook, my gifted wife does all that.
But, when I am in the driving seat, I take forever!
I’m very meticulous when it comes to preparing a meal – so I’ve been told.
I am a bit of a fuzzy eater too, so if it’s prepared by me, it has to be done properly.
You can find me rising and “over rinsing” vegetables till the flavour goes off – weird.
Freezing is a good money saver tip.
Johnluffa´s last blog ..Plan for the Blogging Journey Ahead
Hi John,
Is fish and chips still popular in England? I know all the British expats here say that Indian food seems to be the new British food of choice.
God, I hate fish and chips! The lads in the office sometimes get it in for their lunch and it stinks the place (plaice) out!
Kevin Tea´s last blog ..Are Malodorous Solids Hitting Rotating Blades In Browser Wars?
I haven’t had fish and chips for 8 years! I’ve got a massive craving for them!
Yeah, ‘Indian curry house’ are quite big over here….
But, nothing….and I mean nothing beats the good old Fish ‘n’ Chips.
(With a splash of vinegar and a squeeze of lemon.) – beauty
Johnluffa´s last blog ..Plan for the Blogging Journey Ahead
John, there have been times when I have spent so much time cooking and concentration on a dinner party dish that when it comes to serving the guests I can’t bear the thought of eating it!
Kevin Tea´s last blog ..Are Malodorous Solids Hitting Rotating Blades In Browser Wars?
In recent years ‘kitchen’ has been (& still is) such a major element of residential design and Lifestyle. With this in mind our kitchen design focus is on Lifestyle. At the very start we lead our clients through several of their living-cooking-eating-entertaining scenarios before putting together the actual design, layout and components of their kitchen. We are finding more and more families and couples are into ‘team’ cooking, so some (many) of the old rules of space and dimension don’t apply anymore. Think 3 or more couples cooking together!
Focusing on a client’s Lifestyle really changes the dynamics of a design. I realize I may have gone a little off-topic here, focusing on the place where meals are cooked, namely the kitchen rather then commenting on the meals themselves, however part of my initial probing and questioning is about the actual food and how it is organized, designed and prepared. My clients are all into that sort of thing.
I really enjoyed your Blog, Gordie . I only just found it via twitter, and will certainly make a point of checking in.
@CASUDI
Welcome, Casudi!
I’ve seen you around on Twitter. That photo of you wearing red is very memorable.
So, team cooking is when one or two couples go around to another couple’s house and they all prepare the meal? Must need a decent sized kitchen for that.
Casudi, I always consider the kitchen the heart of the house so design is essential. Fortunately or unfortunately our cottage kitchen is very small so where certain units went was more or less made for us.
Kevin Tea´s last blog ..Are Malodorous Solids Hitting Rotating Blades In Browser Wars?
My wife uses a lot of these tips. When cooking pasta, usually on Sundays, she will make enough sauce for another two meals during the week. I love my pasta
We hardly ever eat processed foods. The only bad thing we do is once a week we will get something from a fast food outlet so she can have a day off from cooking.
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Fast food once a week is a good way to have a break and a way to keep you from developing to large a craving. I haven’t eaten fish and chips for 8 years and my craving is only getting bigger.
Wow! I was just thinking yesterday about planning my week’s menu! This is a great idea. I live by myself, and I try to cook as frequently as I can, because I like to eat healthy. But I always have old things in the fridge! Right now I do. So, planning is something simple I will do to spend less money and use everything I buy.
Isaac – Life is simpler´s last blog ..What do you look for in a job?
Welcome, Isaac!
By utilizing your freezer you can batch cook and prepare two or three meals at one time. I think this is the best way you single people when they’re busy.
Isaac, kudos to you for wanting to cook for yourself. I think every man should have at least three signature dishes he can cook well and not expect someone else to cook for him all the time.
Kevin Tea´s last blog ..Are Malodorous Solids Hitting Rotating Blades In Browser Wars?
Hi Kevin,
I don’t have these signature dishes, but it is a good idea. I will work on that, although I don’t think I am a good cooker. Thanks for the advise.
Isaac Ben´s last blog ..Steps to financial freedom – Introduction
Do you know the show Everyday Italian? I’ve been seeing great recipes there but wasn’t able to list down the things I need hehe. It happens every time.
Rian´s last blog ..Unlimited Sushi with Sakae Sushi Japanese Restaurant
Rian, we don’t get that show in the UK. One of the best Italian cookbooks I have accompanied a TV show here by Jamie Oliver in Italy. I am not a huge Jamie fan but the recipes were great and it’s one of the few cook cooks I go back to time and time again.
Kevin Tea´s last blog ..Are Malodorous Solids Hitting Rotating Blades In Browser Wars?
Great tips here. I’ve been able to save a lot of headache by planning my meals ahead so I know what to buy, rather than just walking into the market and buying what my stomach desires.
Ken Kurosawa´s last blog ..How To Work The Room at a Networking Event
Ken, someone told me you have to do the supermarket shop on a full stomach! I always maintain that supermarket shelves are designed by blokes that don’t cook as there doesn’t seen to be as natural link between product placings,
Kevin Tea´s last blog ..Are Malodorous Solids Hitting Rotating Blades In Browser Wars?
Thanks for the suggestions! I especially like your idea to try and cook chinese or thai…instead of takeout. I am cooking to save and stay of restaurants this year so always looking for ideas.
Hi Susan,
It looks like this article suits the niche of your blog very much. Thanks for stopping by.
Susan, add a bit of fun into your resolution and do a cook’s world tour. Start with Chinese or Thai, visit Italy, Mexico, Australia for a bit of fusion … the kitchen is a great way to see the world.
Kevin Tea´s last blog ..Are Malodorous Solids Hitting Rotating Blades In Browser Wars?
Oh yes, recycled food. I have made some of the best dishes by foraging in the fridge and putting together leftovers. The only problem is that I have not been able to repeat the great ones. They are always different. Plus it’s fun.
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