5 Easy Hacks To Conquer The `What’s For Food?’ Dilemma Everyday
One of the mind-boggling tasks for any homemaker is the million-dollar question of what to cook everyday !! (I wouldn’t want to sound sexist and say it is only the responsibility of a homemaker to put together a meal, but it can be anyone) After all, at least three meals must be prepared each day.
On a lighter note, sometimes I wish there was a pill that we could consume to take care of our hunger pangs and solve this issue in a jiffy.
Now whatever we plan to cook everyday has to serve a dual purpose — not just appeal to the taste of all family members but should be nutritious as well.
An important point is that you cannot repeat a dish often, even though it meets both the above criteria. Otherwise, you’re sure to hear the chorus, “ Didn’t we have this yesterday?” And in the worst scenario end up ordering food from outside!
In most Indian homes the culture of having elaborate meals, with a variety of dishes was prevalent. Especially with extended families staying together, the women folk would get together and cook, sharing work amongst themselves.
But now with nuclear families, and the effects of modern society, things have changed. Meals have become simpler and according to our convenience. One major advantage is that nowadays, food is easily available for home delivery. People utilize this convenient option if need be. Though it has the tag of ‘not home cooked’.
But the dilemma of what to cook daily remains for us! I am sharing some of the methods I use to make cooking easier :
Meal Planning
Make a menu chart for each day of the week, and put it up somewhere where it is visible. The most vantage point is in the kitchen or stick it on the refrigerator. This is a smart way to remember food that your family likes and can be repeated.
Often it happens that you’re in the mood of having a particular dish (e.g., lentils or chickpeas), the ingredients for which need to be soaked overnight. If you missed doing that then it is unlikely that you’ll have it on your dinner table that day. If you follow the above process, you can avoid this setback.
Buying Groceries
Make a list before venturing out to shop for groceries. Imagine, when you are craving for your favorite dish, and when you head to the kitchen to cook you realize that the ingredients are not there !
Though nowadays there is no dearth of online services and apps that deliver stuff at the click of a button ….. within minutes. Still, to be stress free, do this ! Home cooked meals are ideally the best !
Dividing the Tasks — Prior Meal Prep
Doing meal preparation in advance makes things easier and saves time during the week. Time consuming and difficult chores like washing and chopping vegetables, kneading dough or batters, making sauces, pastes and masalas can be done before and stored in the refrigerator. This will lessen the workload, and make cooking easier and quicker.
Especially if you are a larger family of four or more then each person’s choice is different.
Picky Eaters
We are all familiar with picky eaters in our family. Trying out new recipes along with incorporating a mix of favorites will do the trick. Getting inputs from family members on meal choices and involving them in the cooking process makes it enjoyable.
Variety is the spice of life and prevents us from falling into a rut. Therefore, exploring new cooking techniques, cuisines, and ingredients adds zing and keeps things interesting.
Healthy Meals
Of course, all this needs to be aligned with our health and wellness goals. Hence finding ways to make healthier versions of favorite dishes.
Adding more vegetables and using healthier, organic, natural ingredients.
Incorporating cooking methods that retain nutritious values — instead of frying, using an air fryer.
