Food hacking

A quick talk for the lunchtime life hacks theme at FOWA.

Transcript

1. FAST FOOD HACKING
2. GET TOOLED UP Get a decent knife. It won’t be super cheap but it will last a lifetime if looked after well.
4. PANS > a small saucepan > a pan with a lid > a decent frying pan > a wok
5. TINS / TRAYS > a tin you can roast stuff in > a flat ‘baking tray’
6. AN ELECTRIC STEAMER These are cheap, and excellent.
7. TIP 1: LEARN TO CUT STUFF UP You can halve your prep time by learning some knife skills.
8. TIP 2: YOU CAN STEAM MOST VEG Depends on the veg and whether you like it crunchy or soft but anywhere between 10 and 25 minutes in a steamer. Done. Lovely.
9. EASY MEALS A source of protein + a big pile of veg. The more colourful your meal the better.
10. WASH AND CHOP UP > broccoli > brussels sprouts > carrot > beans > corn on the cob
11. PUT IT IN THE STEAMER
12. GET YOUR PROTEIN > A chicken breast > Pork, lamb or beef steak > Halloumi > Tofu or Quorn > Tuna, salmon or other fish
13. COOK > Bit of salt and pepper > Get your pan hot, give it a spray with some olive oil > Turn on the steamer > Cook your meat/fish/halloumi
14. TIP 3: WHAT YOU DON’T STEAM YOU ROAST Roasting makes everything delicious. > Roast cauliflower > Roast sweet potato > Roast brussels sprouts > Carrot ‘chips’, courgette ‘chips’
16. ROAST EXTRA VEG. Keep it in the fridge for quick meals.
20. STIR FRY STUFF Stir frying is the ultimate quick meal.
21. GET EVERYTHING READY IN ADVANCE > any veg you like cut up small > garlic, ginger, spring onion, chilli > cashew nuts > chicken / beef / salmon / tofu etc. > soy sauce
23. HAVEN’T LEARNED TO CUT STUFF UP YET?
24. CHEAT You can buy jars of “lazy” ginger, chilli and garlic. You can buy frozen ginger, chilli and garlic You can buy ready prepared stir fry veg.
25. COOK 1. Get the wok nice and hot. Add a little oil. 2. Chuck in the ginger, chilli, garlic, spring onion 3. Stir like mad for a minute or two 4. If using meat add it, get it brown, chuck onto a plate 5. Put in the rest of the veg 6. Add a little soy sauce and cover the pan 7.When the veg is almost soft enough put back in the meat and cook till done.
27. THE SMALLER YOU CUT UP THE VEG - THE QUICKER IT COOKS
29. YOU PROBABLY DON’T NEED RICE OR NOODLES.
30. IF YOU MUST MAKE IT WHOLEGRAIN (IT’LL TAKE A LITTLE LONGER TO COOK THAN WHITE)
31. “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” — Michael Pollan