Making the Most of Kitchen Time
- Elizabeth Cancade
- Jan 20
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 23
When we think about meal prep, it’s easy to imagine long stretches in the kitchen. But some of the most effective planning happens in the in‑between moments — the 5 to 15 minutes while something simmers, roasts, or cooks quietly in the background. This is how we make the most of kitchen time.
Those small pockets of time can make a surprising difference in how organized and supported your week feels.
Recipes like Chipotle Honey Chicken, Quinoa & Zucchini Bowls are a perfect example. While the quinoa cooks and the chicken roasts, there’s space to take care of a few small tasks that gently move you ahead.
Quick Kitchen Wins While Dinner Cooks
These simple actions don’t take long, but together they create momentum.
Prep produce for tomorrow. Wash and chop vegetables for your next meal while you’re already in the kitchen rhythm.
Mix a sauce or dressing. A quick vinaigrette or yogurt-based dressing can live in the fridge for days and make meals feel finished.
Tidy one pantry shelf. Even a two‑minute reset can reduce food waste and make ingredients easier to find.
Check one fridge shelf. Clear out anything past its prime to make space for today’s leftovers.
Pack snacks or lunches. Portion fruit, nuts, or leftovers into containers so tomorrow is already handled.
Clean as you go. Load the dishwasher, wipe counters, or take out the compost — small resets that keep the kitchen calm.
Small jobs like these add up to big results.
Chipotle Honey Chicken, Quinoa & Zucchini Bowls
Sweet heat, vibrant colour, and fresh flavour come together in one balanced bowl. Enjoy it warm for dinner, then pack the leftovers for easy weekday lunches. It’s also a great option for mason‑jar style meals.
And remember — weekly meal prep doesn’t have to happen all at once.
If Sundays don’t work for you, shorter prep sessions during everyday cooking count just as much. A little extra effort earlier in the week often leads to a calmer, more prepared finish.
Every time you work ahead, you’re giving a gift to future you.
Time in the kitchen doesn’t need to feel rushed or overwhelming. When you use the quiet in‑between moments with intention, you create space — not just on your counters, but in your week.
Download the recipe: Chipotle Honey Chicken, Quinoa & Zucchini Bowls
Warmly,
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