To prep one-pot sabzi meals for kids with minimal cleanup, chop all vegetables in advance, use a single pot or pressure cooker, and opt for recipes with fewer ingredients and minimal spices.
Detailed Explanation:
Preparing one-pot sabzi meals for kids can be a breeze with a little planning. Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Plan Your Meals: Choose simple sabzi recipes that your kids enjoy. Think along the lines of mixed vegetable khichdi, dal palak, or a simple vegetable pulao.
- Prep Vegetables in Advance: Wash, peel, and chop all the vegetables you'll need for the week on one day. Store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This saves a lot of time during the week.
- Use a Single Pot: Opt for a pressure cooker or a large pot that can handle all the ingredients. This minimizes the number of dishes you'll need to wash.
- Simplify Spices: Use a minimal amount of spices suitable for kids' palates. Turmeric, cumin, and a touch of garam masala are usually sufficient. Avoid excessive chili powder.
- One-Pot Cooking: Follow the recipe, adding ingredients in the correct order to the pot. For example, sauté onions and spices first, then add vegetables, lentils/rice, and water. Cook until everything is tender.
- Serve and Clean: Serve the sabzi directly from the pot. After the meal, soak the pot immediately to make cleaning easier.
Pro Tip:
Line your chopping board with parchment paper before chopping vegetables. This prevents staining and makes cleanup even faster.