Cook Almost Any Meal Under 30 Minutes

When it comes to food, prep and cooking technique will allow for almost any meal to be prepared in 30 minutes or less. Of course, this is excluding foods that in their own right require long cooking times like exotic meats, stews, grilling, and baked dishes. Almost all top of the stove meals can be prepared in 30 minutes or less, this timeframe may or may not include prep, it just depends on the particular meal.

Most people overcook food because of some historical thinking that longer cooking equates to a better chance of killing off any bacteria. Most bacteria are killed at a temperature of 165 degrees or more. Each meat group has its safe cooking temperature and whether the meat reaches that temp in 10 minutes or 1 hour it makes no difference. What most fail to remember is that overcooking food diminishes the nutrients we get from eating it and adds a propensity for harmful chemical reactions. Not to mention, overcooked food just does not taste good.

One of the best tools to add for quick cooking food is a wok. Woks are miracle workers in the kitchen, however there is learning curve in how to use them properly. The type of range being used also makes a difference. Gas stoves are just the best, nothing like high fire to give food a slight char/crisp, that you just can't get with electric stoves. Skilled cooks are more likely to gravitate towards gas ranges, while family and novice cooks may feel more comfortable cooking on an electric stove, as temperatures are easier to manage.