Cooking Stack Exchange
Cooking Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [efficiency]

23 questions
19
votes
12 answers

Timing cooking: methods / workflow

I'm looking for methods to improve timing or workflow during cooking. How to multi-task effectively, getting the maximal amount of differing dishes on the table, for each course, etc. A multitasking / scheduling problem. Of course, practise makes…
Tobias Op Den Brouw
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6 answers

Ways to make my cooking routine more efficient?

I enjoy cooking. In an ideal world, I'd spend some time messing around in the kitchen four or five nights a week. But as it stands, I'm very busy, on a very tight budget, and trying to keep up with my body's high caloric demands so I can put on some…
user242007
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11
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1 answer

Pressure cooker rice quality vs high-end rice cooker

I'm considering buying a proper rice cooker, as we've eaten most of the non-stick coating of the cheap one. The forums rave about induction heating, Zojirushi, Tiger, Toshiba RC-18NMF with its cast-iron pot, Buffalo with their stainless steel pots.…
Evgeni Sergeev
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9
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5 answers

Using the leftover oven heat

I use my oven a lot to bake things and roast vegetables, usually at 350 or 400 F. It stays hot for a while afterwards, and it seems like such a waste to not somehow use that heat. Are there any dishes or kitchen maintenance things I can do with an…
Hovercouch
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6
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3 answers

Tips for remembering recipes

I often find myself remembering the ingredients that go in a recipe, but forgetting the exact amounts. Are there some tricks/tips that professional cooks use to help them remember recipes so they don't have to keep their eyes glued to a recipe…
O.O
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2 answers

Roasting multiple vegetables at once

I have plans to make a roasted vegetable soup. The tentative list of veggies (that need roasting) is: sweet peppers, onions, carrots, garlic, zuchini (maybe), small weird purple potatoes. I've roasted potatoes and garlic before, but usually I do…
FrustratedWithFormsDesigner
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4
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2 answers

Is it practical to boil drinking water in a pressure cooker?

At my home and relative's homes I've never seen anyone using a pressure cooker to boil water (to make it safe for drinking). They just take an ordinary steel vessel, fill it with tap water, add some salt and jeera seeds, cover the vessel top…
Julia
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2 answers

Is washing hands before handling meat/poultry necessary?

I was wondering if meat and chicken get cooked well, do we need to wash our hands before handling it?
Jim
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4
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5 answers

Fastest or most efficient way to cook rice in a pot with a lid?

Without using (read: buying) a rice cooker, what methods can I use to reduce active cooking time for brown rice? Does pre-soaking help? Should I add the rice before or after bringing the water to a boil? I'm interested in both fitting my cooking…
Evan Johnson
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4
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1 answer

Is it possible to find an above-pot steamer that's as efficient as an inside-pot steamer?

My experience with steaming vegetables is that a no-name insert, such as the one in the left of the image, inside a nice-brand covered pot steams vegetables very quickly (carrots in 5 min, green beans in 7 min, etc). A no-name steamer (*) that sits…
Sam
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5 answers

How (much) can I minimise the cooking time of red split lentils?

As I can't go camping or bike touring at the moment, I'm taking the chance to experiment with some home-made dehydrated meals - doing everything at home but as if I was on the road. One idea is based on red lentils, with a separate sachet of…
Chris H
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2 answers

Baking Steel/Pizza Steel Design

I use pizza stones all the time, but recently have heard about pizza steel/baking steel which is claimed to produce better results. I have the know-how and materials to make my own, but do now know the best dimensions, and I also wonder about any…
Jonathon
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1 answer

Cooking Time vs Burner Size on an electric smooth top stove

Say I'm cooking using a smooth-top stove. A burner area has a small burner, which is surrounded by a larger burner area. If I have a small pot on a large element, with a 1-2 inch radius of the large element not touching the small pot (the outer edge…
csch0
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1 answer

Does an Instant Pot actually save time?

For some time people have been making much of the Instant Pot as a time-saving tool. I recently bought one and it produces good results, but I'm not sold on it as a time-saver. Tonight, for instance, I made a recipe that involves a chuck steak and…
crmdgn
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2 answers

Improve efficiency cooking for one

As someone who cooks for themselves alone a lot, how can I improve my efficiency/speed of prep, cooking, clean up etc.
Carol
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