We all know the struggle: You dream of whipping up gourmet meals every night, but between work, kids and the sheer exhaustion of modern life, frozen dinners can look mighty appealing. But what if you could be both sustainable and efficient in the kitchen?
We think you can! Here at MOLLY MAID, we’re all about making your life easier, and that includes helping you navigate the kitchen with a little “green” magic. Here are five sustainable shortcuts that will save you time, money and help you reduce your environmental impact.
Master the Art of Sauces
Gone are the days of opening mystery jars of questionable ingredients. Invest some time (it won’t be much!) in learning a few basic sauces. Pesto, aioli and vinaigrette are all incredibly versatile and can transform simple dishes into restaurant-worthy meals. Plus, making your own sauces means you control the quality of ingredients and avoid hidden sugars and preservatives.
Once you’ve mastered the classics, experiment with different herbs, nuts and spices to create your own signature flavors.
Clean Up as You Go
Nobody enjoys a mountain of dirty dishes after a meal. Make cleaning a breeze by incorporating a “clean as you go” routine. Scrape plates as you cook, rinse utensils you won’t be using again and utilize your dishwasher efficiently.
Bosch, one of the leading names in dishwashers actually recommends not pre-rinsing your dishes. Modern dishwashers and detergents are designed to handle unrinsed dishes. Skip the pre-rinse and save gallons of water!
Prep Your Produce Like a Pro
Dedicate a little time after your grocery run to wash and chop all your vegetables for the week. This simple step will save you precious time during meal prep and encourage you to incorporate more healthy options into your diet.
For busy mornings, freeze washed and chopped fruit for a quick and nutritious smoothie base.
Become a Mix Master
Ditch the pre-made mixes and whip up your own pancake, muffin, or waffle mix. It’s basically just a ziploc bag of all the dry ingredients. But, come morning, when all you have to do is add an egg and a cup of milk. You’ll be happy!
It’s also a great way to control the ingredients and can make healthier substitutions using whole wheat flour or natural sweeteners.
Invest in the Right Tools
A few key kitchen tools can make a world of difference in terms of efficiency and reducing waste. A good garlic press, vegetable peeler, and ceramic ginger grater can save you time and frustration when tackling ingredients.
A box grater and rice cooker are surprisingly versatile tools that can help you create a variety of delicious and healthy meals.
