Unlock Faster Weeknight Dinners: The Simple Meal Prep Secret from a Top Cookbook Author

Anyone who has attempted meal prep knows the ups and downs. Sure, it saves time during the busy week and ensures you have food ready to go. But let’s be real—it can take a lot of time to get everything prepped.

Jessica Merchant, a busy mom of three and foodie behind How Sweet Eats, has a game-changing strategy. In her book, Easy Everyday, she introduces a 10-minute meal prep technique. This clever approach helps you get organized without drowning in an all-day cooking session.

Why Traditional Meal Prep Can Be Tough

Merchant used to dedicate her weekends to comprehensive meal prep. Hours were spent in the kitchen, carefully measuring and labeling everything. While it had its benefits, it quickly became a chore. Eating the same salmon and green beans all week wasn’t exciting either. Life also gets in the way—unexpected late nights or spontaneous dinner plans can turn that carefully-prepped food into waste.

The 10-Minute Meal Prep Strategy

So, how does this 10-minute meal prep approach work? It’s all about snatching small moments for prep throughout your day. For instance, while making breakfast, you might wash and chop some broccoli or prepare a quick dressing. Merchant emphasizes that these short bursts of prep can significantly simplify your cooking routine later on.

Here are some practical things you can accomplish in just 10 minutes:

• Chop vegetables: Wash and chop broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or other favorites. Store them with a paper towel in a container to keep them fresh.
• Prepare greens: Wash and chop lettuce or any other greens you plan to use.
• Chop aromatics: Dice onions, garlic, or mushrooms to save time when cooking.
• Quick pickles: Soak sliced onions in vinegar and salt. This simple step elevates any dish.
• Marinate proteins: Spend a few minutes marinating chicken, tofu, or fish to pack in flavor.
• Cook grains: Boil water for pasta or cook grains. While waiting, you can tackle other tasks.

With these components ready, you’ll be able to whip up nutritious meals in no time.

When to Sneak in Prep Time

Merchant suggests that you integrate meal prep into daily activities. If you’re already chopping ingredients for tonight’s dinner, ask yourself what you can do in advance for tomorrow. This not only saves time but also keeps your cooking fresh and spontaneous.

A Bit of Meal Planning

To complement her 10-minute strategy, Merchant also keeps a meal plan. Shuffling just three meals ahead for the week keeps things flexible and reduces waste. Each Thursday, she selects her three dinners, grocery shops over the weekend, and slots them into the week. For example, if tacos are on the menu, she can make a simple salsa whenever she has a moment.

Using this method has helped Merchant cook for her family almost every night with less stress. It’s a practical approach that many busy families can relate to.

By breaking down meal prep into bite-sized chunks, you can enjoy the benefits without feeling overwhelmed. For more tips and strategies, check out the original article on Real Simple.

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Jessica Merchant