Before starting to cook, think about the order in which you will prepare your meal. This may seem like a small task. However, it can make a big difference in how much time is spent cooking. For example, this framework calls for chopped veggies, a sauce, and cooked brown rice.
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It's important to think about the time each item will take.
Foods like cooked pasta, rice, or other grains require “cook” time. They need to be cooked in boiling water. It often takes about 10-15 minutes to boil 8 cups of water! So, boiling water could be a good first step. While waiting for the water to boil, you can take care of other steps such as
- Chopping veggies
- Mixing a sauce
- Draining beans
You can get a lot done while the water boils! Create a plan and cook smarter, not harder.
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My Plan To Make This Meal:
1. Start a pot of boiling water. Add brown rice once boiling.
2. Chop veggies and leafy greens.
3. Open and rinse chickpeas.
4. Make homemade Yogurt Sauce.
5. Build-A-Grain Bowl!
Your kids can help!
Decide which steps they can help with safely. Kid-friendly steps from this recipe are
- Measuring the water used for boiling the pasta.
- Washing the veggies.
- Adding a few shakes of black pepper.
A framework is like a recipe but it can change based on what you have at home. It’s flexible and helps you keep important nutrients and flavors in your meals.