Instagram would have you think everyone spends their evening whipping up gourmet meals while you crack into your second packet of crisps, right?
And while some of us are naturally talented in the kitchen, even more of us avoid that room at all costs, haunted by memories of past Home Ec. classes.
If you're time-poor, nutritionally-focussed and harbour a deep-seated fear of cooking, you'll know how difficult it can be to keep on track.
Lucky for you, we caught up with Time Management and Productivity expert, Yasmin Vorajeewhich, who advised us how to whip up healthy meals without spending all our time slaving over a hot stove.
1. Plan your meals
It seems like a fairly dreary way to spend an hour or two every Sunday, but it's actually one of the best ways to make the most of the week ahead.
Planning your meals for the week not only saves you time in the long run, but also saves you money as you can be super-strict and organised when hitting the shops for your groceries,
No more hanging around the kitchen waiting for a tasty meal to cook itself!
2. Know your staples
In the same way certain essentials can always be found in your handbag, your kitchen cupboards should also boast failsafe staples.
If your presses are guaranteed to have tinned tomatoes, rice, mixed herbs, chicken and Knorr Pan Cook, you'll never struggle to whip up a quick and nutritious meal.
Coming in at just €1.35 a pop and available in Paprika, Garlic and Herb, and Piri Piri, you'll keep things in the kitchen interesting without breaking the bank!
3. Master some recipes
Home cooking doesn't have to be a stressful, time-consuming affair as it's simply about having the right ingredients to hand when you need them! (See point 1, ladies!)
It's always a relief to know you have certain dishes you can throw together with your eyes closed, right?
By using a Pan Cook your dinner can be ready in just 10 minutes, and you'll be able to spend the rest of your evening chilling out, working out or flaking out.
4. Optimise your time
Yasmin Vorajee tells us that it's important to optimise your time when preparing meals.
If you have a phobia of all things cooking-related, you won't want to spend your entire evening in the kitchen, so get creative with your time!
Respond to emails, snap a shot for Instagram or catch up on Twitter scandal while your ingredients are doing their thing on the hob.
5. Know your outcome
Decide what you want out of your meal before you commit to the task.
If you know you're cooking for a group you need to expect to spend more time in the kitchen, but if you waste an entire evening preparing a meal for one you need to reassess your method!
Learn from your mistakes in the kitchen and remember not all of us were born with Nigella's know-how, but that doesn't mean our meals can't be tummy (and Instagram) worthy with a little slick time management!
