Life without a maid – something most of us wish for but are unable to go through it for a multitude of reasons. Having a maid at home can be of great help provided they meet all the checklists such as hardworking, smart, flexible, good with children and elderly family members, resourceful, and so forth. The major concern that discourages many from keeping a maid is their trustworthiness. After all, you will be allowing a stranger to stay among your loved ones for hours in a stretch. It is quite natural that you need to be assured of their safety and well-being during your absence from home. And for this reason, some of us decide to do away with the convenience of having a maid despite the challenges it may pose.

Having a hand in the kitchen is probably where we may miss the services of a maid the most. Fret not, all is not lost. We will share with our readers a few kitchen tips and tricks that will allow you to make the most of your time and operate like a professional chef with time and energy to spare – so let’s get started, shall we?

Plan your meals: Planning your meals in advance at least for two weeks could be a lifesaver. This will save you the stress and time you spend deciding what you want for your next meals. This is particularly helpful in big families with varying food preferences. This will avoid any last-minute rush and allow everyone to settle on the meal plans in advance. Finally, the grocery for the assigned timeline can also be readied in advance, which could save you money if you like to keep a close watch on your expenditures.
Use kitchen tools: Yes, you may be an expert with the knife and prefer the good old slice-and-dice method; yet, there are certain tools that you can make use of in your kitchen that will definitely save you time and maybe even finish the work with better results. Invest in a food processor, kettle, induction cooktop etc. They will do the same task for you with minimal effort and an equally good finish as yours!
Label your containers: Unable to find that masala mix just when you were about to add it? Labelling them and arranging them in a dedicated space might do the trick for you. Make it a habit to keep these containers in their assigned spot and you will never have to search for them ever again. Also, make it a point to check if all the condiments and spices are available for the assigned timeline based on your menu.
Keep your utensil at arm’s length: Make sure to make space for your frequently used utensils so you can make use of it immediately instead of scouring the entire house. You can also hang some of the lighter utensils on the wall or place them on a rack for quick and easy access.
Arrange the refrigerator: Most of the perishable goods such as vegetables, milk products, meat, and beverages are always kept in the refrigerator. It makes perfect sense to ensure the space is managed effectively to ensure they remain fresh, undamaged, and easy to access whenever the need arises.
Prepare in advance: Most of the time and effort in cooking goes towards the preparation of the ingredients. No one likes peeling onion and garlic in the 11th hour even if they like them in their meals! You can cut and chop all the vegetables and other ingredients you need at least a night in prior advance. This saves time, and effort, and allows you to cook a delicious meal without making a fuss about it.
Cleans as you go: Cleaning up the kitchen as you prepare the meal is the only way to save you from a pile of utensils and a messy kitchen. Any other way is plain inefficient and will only lead you to a huge pile of oil-stained utensils and a messy countertop. Trust us on this! Wash the dishes once the food is being prepared, wipe the pantry, and put away all other tools and containers you used in their respective place. This will help you minimise the clutter down to nothing by the end of the cooking.
Cook in extras: If you are repeating a particular item in the next meal such as rice or any other ingredients for the main course. Just prepare those in extra so you need not waste time repeating the same task. This way, you will be able to prepare meals in a short time instead of spending hours in the kitchen.
Simplify your menu: If you are cooking for a big family, it’s best to keep the recipe simple so it requires fewer ingredients and less preparation time. While you may have help from family members, making elaborate meals will weigh on you over time. Besides, it’s always a good idea to eat light meals if you intend to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Invest in a dishwasher: While handwashing is still the best way to clean utensils, investing in a dishwasher is still a good idea. All you will need to do is give it a good wipe once the washing is done. Not only will this save you precious minutes and energy but also give you perfectly clean utensils ready for the next meal.
Get acquainted with microwave ovens: Whether you loathe them or love them, microwave ovens can be of great help once you get used to them. You don’t even have to make full meals on the device. You can use it mainly for heating food items to make quick work of it, especially for food items that tend to get charred or burnt easily if you don’t apply the heat right.

By implementing these simple and nifty tricks, cooking meals without a maid or any other help can be a breeze and you can still enjoy delicious home-cooked meals every time.