(BPT) – If you’ve ever arrived home tired and hungry after a long day with no plan for dinner, you know how hard it is to resist a takeout menu. And during the pandemic, it’s been easier than ever to hit the delivery button.
But meal preparation and planning are the keys to eating well — and with a few simple tricks, you can have full meals ready at a moment’s notice. Plus, simplifying and prepping meals in advance can help save you money and time. These tips will help you get creative in the kitchen.
1. Plan for the week
Look at your schedule and decide when you will have the time and energy to cook. For many people, grocery shopping and meal prep take place during the weekend ahead of a busy week. Try your hand at this strategy to map out your meals for the week and get cooking.
2. Invest in smart technology
Having the right tools and equipment makes cooking much easier. Smart technology can help you achieve gourmet-level results at home, making every meal an enjoyable experience. Signature Kitchen Suite features multiple cooking modalities — from steam and gas to induction and even sous vide built right into the cook top — to make meal prep easier and more successful.
3. Cook a few batches at once
If you’re chopping veggies or cooking grains, make two or three batches to store in the fridge or freezer. Use what you need and store the rest for later. If you have everything prepped and ready in advance, you’ll save time when it comes to preparing your next meal.
4. Embrace freezer meals
Freezing soups and casseroles in individual portions is one of the easiest ways to conquer busy weeknights. All you have to do is take it out of the freezer and reheat for a quick and easy meal. Just be sure to label and date anything you put in the freezer and remember to use it within a few months.
5. Fill your fridge
Before you head to the grocery store, take stock of what you have on hand. The LG InstaView Refrigerator provides easy viewing without even opening the door, which saves you time, conserves energy, and keeps the cold air where it belongs — in the refrigerator. All you have to do is knock twice to illuminate the interior and see what’s inside. And with the LG ThinQ mobile app, you can manage your appliances remotely.
6. Increase your food storage
For meal prep, some of the best foods to always have on hand are chopped veggies, fruit, poultry, fish and beans. Up your food storage to keep more at your fingertips and take fewer trips to the store. With LG’s Full-Convert Drawer, you can change the temperature at the touch of a button, which increases freezer space by 40% or fridge space by 10%, so you can customize your storage options based on your lifestyle or your family’s meal prep needs.
Meal prep doesn’t have to be something you dread. Follow these tips to streamline your weekly routine and enjoy quick and easy — yet delicious — meals.