Tips 4 Dinner under 10 minutes
I, for one, truly enjoy cooking all day and eating the result of a meal that’s taken 30 steps to prepare. However, realistically speaking, that is not the everyday reality for most of us, especially when life gets hectic. Here are a few helpful tips to get your food on the table in under 10 minutes during those crazy busy evenings when time is of the essence.
One effective strategy is to plan your meals ahead of time and accomplish a few steps the night before. For this example, we’re making the pasta ahead of time. I personally boil my noodles the night before my crazy, jam-packed day, usually while I’m tidying up the kitchen after dinner. The only steps required during this process are to set the timer for my noodles and occasionally stir them to ensure even cooking. I always make a conscious effort to keep my noodles al dente and avoid overcooking them, especially if I plan to bake my pasta in a sauce when I return home the next day.
When preparing in advance, it’s vital to rinse your noodles after cooking so that they do not continue to cook further or stick together in a big, mushy cake. I always reserve about 1 cup of the cooking water (the water in which my pasta has been cooked) before rinsing them. This reserved water is invaluable because adding it to your sauce later will help create a sauce that is thicker and creamier in texture. It’s essential to store this water separately from your rinsed noodles.
Once my noodles are cooked and thoroughly rinsed, I return them to my cooled-off cooking pan and place it in the refrigerator until I return home the next day.
Once you’re ready to complete your dish, simply pull the noodles from the refrigerator and allow them to sit at room temperature while you prepare your sauce of choice—just remember to utilize your reserved cooking water in the process. Then, transfer your cold noodles into your hot sauce, stirring until everything is heated through and evenly coated. Finally, top your dish with your choice of grated cheese, freshly ground pepper, and a sprinkle of herbs for that finishing touch. Sit back and enjoy a simple yet satisfying mealtime with your loved ones.
