When the sun finally started to shine outside the window and the temperature rose above ten degrees, we realize that the long-awaited spring has finally arrived. At this time of year, we want to spend as much time outdoors as possible: we go on short walks in the park with our family, long hikes in the woods, or relaxing on a farm surrounded by nature and peace. However, the more heat there is outside, the less time we want to spend on housework and cooking. Of course, spending time in the kitchen is inevitable, but by trying a few tricks, you will turn cooking into a super fast process!

All of these tips are universal and can really make everyone's life easier. We've thought about many of them more than once, but we constantly forget them, so it's worth repeating them every time. After all, genius always lies in simplicity. 

1. Plan your shopping for the whole week 

When going to the store, always have a shopping list with you – this will save you a lot of time and money. Plan your shopping for the week in advance, this will reduce the number of trips to the store, and you can also use one product for several recipes. It is best to create a menu for the whole week, then make a list of the necessary products and only then step into the store. One large shopping trip once a week will save you time, which you can spend with your family.

2. Choose ready-made healthy meals

Don't skip the frozen vegetables or pre-made health food section – choosing these products will save you time in the kitchen. Frozen vegetable mix retains all its beneficial properties, but it doesn't require washing, chopping, or lengthy processing. Just take a packet of vegetable mix out of the freezer, sauté it in a pan, and you'll have a great meal! 

3. Keep the kitchen tidy 

Every housewife is the queen of her own kitchen – she will always know where to put the rice, where to look for spices and which cupboard to pull out the colander from. However, sometimes things get mixed up in the kitchen: look, a frying pan has fallen into the pot drawer, and herbal tea has fallen into the spice box. You will save a lot of time if each kitchen item has its own place, which should not be given up to anyone else. Only in a tidy kitchen will food miracles be born much faster. In addition, it is recommended to have as few things as possible in the kitchen, and to constantly tidy up during the cooking process. When you cook a dish, the kitchen will remain perfectly clean. 

4. Read recipes in advance 

Before preparing a dish, we often like to open a recipe book. Many people make the mistake of only reading the list of ingredients, buying the products, and when they start cooking the dish, they find out that some steps should have been done the day before – soaking the grains, marinating overnight, etc. When you need a dish right now, you get nervous and wonder what to make differently. Such situations eat up your time, so if you want to save it, plan the entire cooking process in advance. 5

5. Save energy 

It really is – the more energy you save when cooking, the faster you will achieve the result and not only your family but also nature will thank you. Remember that water will heat up faster in a pot with a lid, even if you heat it at a lower temperature. If you want even faster results, you can boil water in a kettle. 

6. Chop the ingredients finely

It is obvious that if we cut a potato in half, it will cook twice as fast, but this step is often forgotten. Before frying or cooking something, always think about whether it is worth cutting the products smaller or even grating them.

7. Make the preparations   

When planning your shopping and making a menu for the whole week, don't forget the capabilities of your freezer - you can freeze almost anything. By preparing the necessary sauces, side dishes, even dishes in advance, you can freeze them, and then, after a short defrosting, enjoy a delicious lunch in an instant.

8. Choose ingredients that cook faster

To reduce your time in the kitchen, choose foods that are quick to prepare. For example, canned chickpeas only need to be heated, while fresh ones require soaking overnight and cooking, and couscous will cook faster than rice or buckwheat. Always consider alternatives that are quick to prepare.

9. Choose products that do not require processing  

If you don't want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen, you can always prepare a great snack - just buy hummus, cut carrots, celery, cucumbers into strips and you will enjoy not only a quick, but also healthy meal.

10. Quality kitchen tools  

If you use a worn-out knife or a pot that sticks to everything, you won't achieve quick results. Only high-quality kitchen equipment and tools can become your best helpers, and you can also save money - one good pot is worth ten cheap ones.