The Lazy Cook's Guide To Smart Meal Preparation With Induction Cooktops

As Indians, food is our comfort, culture, and emotion. From flavourful curries full of nutritious vegetables to comforting daal and rice, we love every bit of it. However, as working individuals, preparing a full-course meal 3 times a day can be tiring and time-consuming. But what if there is a shortcut to enjoy your favourite meals without having to do repetitive tasks like boiling or tempering? The answer is induction cooktops. Not sure how you can meal prep the entire week's food using just an induction cooktop? Don't worry. Here are 7 tips you need to know now.

The Lazy Cook's Guide to Smart Meal Prepping With Induction Cooktops; Photo Credit: Pexels

Also Read: Why Induction Cooktops Are The Future Of Home Kitchens: Benefits And Considerations

1. Boil And Store In Bulk

As Indians who love to eat, our weekly meals are incomplete without Sunday special rajma and rice or early morning chole bhature. However, boiling these ingredients every time you want to cook can be a time-consuming hassle. Instead, you can use your induction cooktop to boil large batches of pulses and store them in airtight containers in the fridge for weeks. Now, whenever you are running short on time, just make a fresh tempering and your meals are ready in minutes.

2. Make Tempering Base For Busy Days

The base of most Indian curries includes chopping onions, tomatoes, and garlic. Next comes the roasting part, where dried spices are added and roasted until fragrant. As delicious as this tempering smells, it is equally tiring. After all, there are days when basic tasks like chopping or roasting feel like a chore. 

That's where a ready-made tempering, also called tadka, comes in handy. You can use your induction cooktop to saute onions, tomatoes, and garlic with a few spices in a large quantity. Once everything is ready, let the mixture cool down and then transfer it into a glass jar. This simple tip will help you bring a homely flavour to your meals without daily prep. 

3. Make Garlic Infused Olive Oil

If you are a keen social media user, you must have noticed many videos on garlic confit. In simple words, this is nothing but garlic cloves slow-cooked in a huge quantity of olive oil until they release flavour. This flavored oil complements many favourites like garlic bread and pasta. Interestingly, induction cooktops are an ideal mode to prepare this deliciousness. Why?

Induction cooktops allow greater control over temperature and cooking mode. You can give your garlic cloves enough time to slowly cook and release their flavour without burning the oil. Sounds dreamy, doesn't it? Next, you can store this garlic confit to add a garlicky punch to any dish without peeling or chopping anything. 

The Lazy Cook's Guide to Smart Meal Prepping With Induction Cooktops; Photo Credit: Pexels

4.  Prep Rice In Bulk

Rice is another Indian staple, eaten at least twice a day in some regions. While some people like plain rice to complete their spicy curries, others add chopped vegetables along with a few sauces to make egg fried rice. Whatever type of rice you wish to eat, you can prep it in advance and enjoy it throughout the week.

It saves time, energy, and effort. You can easily reheat rice in a microwave and enjoy it anytime without having to soak or cook anything. 

5. Create A Versatile Curry Gravy Once

Another way to meal-prep for the entire week using just your induction cooktop is to create a versatile curry base. This base, made of Indian kitchen and pantry staples, can save you tons of time. All you need is to saute onion, tomatoes, garlic, cashew nuts, and some spices in oil. Next, allow the tempering to cool down and add everything into a mixer grinder. Use a little water to adjust its consistency. Sieve this mixture into a pan to adjust its texture. 

Now you can freeze it in any ice cube tray and use it anytime you want a hot, fresh meal on your dinner table in less time. Whether you want to cook eggs, chicken, vegetables, or paneer, this versatile curry base will be the star of the night. 

6. Steam Your Favourite Veggies

Peeling and chopping vegetables every day can be overwhelming, especially in the early morning or after work. While onions make you cry, it is a complete battle with small garlic pods. Instead of dealing with all this and more, you can take a day to chop everything into small pieces and steam on your induction cooktop. 

You can use your choice of veggies like carrots, beans, peas, and cauliflower for the assortment. Once they are ready, toss everything in the freezer and thaw before using. Now you can use these chopped and steamed vegetables in your poha, upma, pancakes, and so much more. This is such a brilliant shortcut to quick and healthy meals. 

The Lazy Cook's Guide to Smart Meal Prepping With Induction Cooktops; Photo Credit: Pexels

Products Related To This Article

1. Flipkart SmartBuy 1400 W Induction Cooktop Push Button  (Black, PowerPlus)

2. BAJAJ 1900 W Induction Cooktop Touch Panel  (Black, 740303)

3. Kenstar 2000 W Induction Cooktop Push Button  (Black, IGNIS 2000 W)

4. Lifelong 2100 W Induction Cooktop Touch Panel  (Black, 2100 Watt with Sensor Touch, LLIC103)

5. Prestige 1600 W Induction Cooktop Push Button  (Black, PIC 20.0 1600 W)

6. PHILIPS 2100 W Induction Cooktop Push Button  (Black, HD4928/01)

7. UNIDUS 1350 W Induction Cooktop Push Button  (Black, S9 1350W INDUCTION WITH TOUGHENED GLASS)

8. Lifelong 1800 W Induction Cooktop Push Button  (Black, 1800W Induction Cooktop)

9. Prestige 1200 W Induction Cooktop Push Button  (Black, Atlas Neo)

10. Pigeon 1800 W Induction Cooktop Push Button  (Black, Favourite)

Frequently Asked Questions On Meal Prepping (FAQs)

1. What not to do with an induction cooktop?

If you want to maintain the efficiency and longevity of your induction cooktop, avoid using it near water, do not use non-induction cookware, and keep it out of the reach of children.

2. Can we use an induction stove continuously?

Yes, you can. However, it's best to give your induction stove short breaks during long cooking to prevent overheating.

3. What are some dos and don'ts of induction?

Some dos of induction cooktops include using induction-compatible cookware and placing it on a flat, dry surface. Similarly, some don'ts of induction cooktops include do not use heavy pans or non-induction-safe cookware. 

4. What can I cook on an induction cooktop?

You can use induction cooktops to boil rice, prepare curries, fry things, or saute vegetables. Plus, you can also use it for preparing sweet dishes. 

5. What cannot be cooked on induction?

It is best to avoid using traditional clay pots or anything that is non-induction-safe to cook on induction cooktops. 

Meal prepping an entire week's food using just an induction cooktop is a time-saving and practical approach to having delicious meals. Whether you are running short on time or living alone, these little tips can help you enjoy nutritious meals anytime without doing mundane tasks like boiling or steaming. So, if you ever question whether induction cooktops are the right investment for your kitchen, remember all these tips and make your life easier and more convenient. 

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