When I decide what is for dinner, it is usually about 4:48, the dishwasher either hasn’t been run or needs to be unloaded, the breakfast dishes are still in the sink, the lunches need to be unpacked, and the kids are being… ummm… not helpful. In short, there is a reason why people call 5:00 the “hell hour” or the “bewitching hour” or in my case, “cocktail hour.” Being prepared with a well stocked pantry and the right equipment will help you be able to pull off a real meal that is delicious, healthy, and served well before bedtime.
But I should add something here. Don’t treat meal preparation like it is a chore (even though to many of us, it is). Try to see it as an opportunity to be creative and as a way to unwind. Chopping can be very therapeutic, you know. And remember that all the best cooks usually pour themselves a glass of wine while they cook. And the best cooks who are also moms turn on some TV for the kids while they get dinner on the table (or maybe that’s just me). In my opinion, there is no reason to make everyone miserable while dinner is being cooked. Everyone has had a long day and needs a little time to unwind — take solace in a bit of “cooking as relaxation” time. And enjoy chopping the hell out of something…
Helpful Pantry Items
Aside from the regular pantry items that most of us have, many recipes from Cuizoo will utilize some of these ingredients:
Equipment
There is a whole lot of equipment that is helpful to have and certainly it is not all essential, but your tools are very important. Beyond some of the basics that you probably have, here are a few others: