5 Random Things I Prep to Survive the Week

TL;DR

Learn five home cooking hacks that will elevate your cooking skills and allow you to create an array of meals.

Transcript

all right so over the last decade of some pretty intensive home cooking just naturally I've created these little hacks and types of preparations that give me almost a leg up as a home cook and these certainly aren't things you're going to be learning say in a culinary school because their true home cooking survival skills so today what I'm going to... Read More

Key Insights

• 😑 Pre-cooking ingredients like beans, legumes, potatoes, and rice noodles can save time and provide versatility in meal preparation.
• 🧄 Aromatic pastes made from ginger, garlic, turmeric, and other ingredients add intense flavors to various dishes like curries, marinades, and stir-fries.
• 😋 Steamed veggies, such as broccoli, are a healthy addition to meals and can be easily added to soups, sauces, or as a baby food option.
• 😑 Properly pre-soaking rice noodles prevents them from becoming mushy and allows for a variety of Asian-inspired dishes.
• 🍳 Preparing ingredients in advance can inspire creativity and make cooking easier and more enjoyable.
• 👪 Home gardening can provide fresh ingredients and be a rewarding project with potential for fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
• 💁 Meal prepping tips and hacks can elevate home cooking skills and make it easier to create delicious and healthy meals.

Questions & Answers

Q: How long should dried beans or legumes be soaked before cooking?

It is recommended to soak dried beans or legumes for at least six hours, or overnight in the refrigerator for 24 hours.

Q: What are some uses for pre-cooked beans or legumes?

Pre-cooked beans or legumes can be sprinkled on salads, added to soups or stews, roasted for a crispy snack, or mashed for baby meals.

Q: What are the key ingredients for an aromatic paste?

The key ingredients for an aromatic paste include ginger, garlic, turmeric, green onion, and chili paste. However, you can customize it based on what you have or prefer.

Q: How can pre-cooked potatoes be used?

Pre-cooked potatoes can be used to make fries, added to soups or stews, or mashed into potato pancakes. They provide versatility and save time in meal preparation.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Pre-cooking beans or legumes at home provides better flavor and texture than canned options, allowing for versatile uses in salads, soups, or roasting.

• Creating an aromatic paste using ginger, garlic, turmeric, green onion, and chili paste adds intense flavor to dishes like curries, marinades, and fried rice.

• Pre-cooking potatoes makes them more versatile, allowing for options like fries, adding to soups or stews, or making potato pancakes.

• Having pre-steamed veggies, such as broccoli, on hand adds nutrition and flavor to dishes like curries, sauces, or as a baby food option.

• Pre-soaking rice noodles before cooking prevents them from becoming mushy, and they can be used in stir-fries, noodle soups, or other Asian-inspired dishes.