Fast & Fresh in 15 Minutes

By Bibby Gignilliat

Noted chef Bibby Gignilliat is the executive chef and founder of Parties That Cook ®

As you gear up for back-to-school, peek in your pantry and review your refrigerator. Does your cooking routine make the most of your time? Can you grab three items and make a meal in less time than it takes to watch the news? Is feeding your family one of the painless parts of your day? If you answered no to any of these questions, read on. I've got the tools you need to cook with speed.

• Hummus - Spread on sandwiches as a replacement for mayo or mustard, or use as a healthy dip for veggies or crackers.
• Pesto - Store-bought pesto can be tossed with fresh pasta, mixed into mayo for a flavor boost, or used as a substitute for classic pizza sauce.
• Salsa - This healthy dip is a classic with tortilla chips; consider using it for a spicy kick on grilled fish or chicken, or mixed into scrambled eggs.
• Plain yogurt - Use for marinades, as a base for salad dressings, eaten by itself, or topped with honey for a healthy dessert.
• Pasta and sauce - My go-to meal when I've had a long day: classic spaghetti with my favorite store-bought sauce.
• Eggs - Scrambled eggs and omelets are great in the morning, but you might also try frittatas or egg-based pastas like spaghetti carbonara for dinner. And nothing beats a classic egg-salad sandwich.
• Grated cheese - Add to tacos, pizza, omelets, salads, quesadillas or wherever you're craving flavor. Beyond mozzarella and cheddar, you can purchase wedges of Gruyére or fontina cheese, grate it and store in the refrigerator. Both melt beautifully and have a great nutty flavor.
• Ground meat - Whether it's burgers, tacos, or chili mac & cheese, keep a stash of ground beef, chicken and turkey in your freezer for quick weeknight meals.

• Canned beans - They don't need cooking and add protein and fiber to soups, burritos and casseroles.
• Stir-fry vegetables - I add chopped frozen veggies to weeknight stir-fries. Try skipping the rice and serving them with pasta, or steam and serve veggies as a side dish with grilled chicken.
• Quinoa - This whole grain is hearty and healthy and can be quickly prepared in a rice cooker.
• Pasta - I always have a variety of pastas on hand. Toss them with bottled sauce or a little butter or oil and Parmesan cheese.
• Salad greens - When I'm in a rush, nothing beats a quick, crunchy salad. My favorite is "garbage" salad, made by adding whatever's in the fridge to lettuce.

• Nothing beats a microwave for quick cooking. I rely on mine for defrosting meat, softening butter and warming leftovers. The Kenmore Elite® Speedcook microwave oven also lets me grill, bake, fry and brown foods!
• Look for convection cooking in ovens like the Kenmore Elite® Double Oven Freestanding Range. This technology reduces baking time and cooks foods more evenly by circulating hot air around the oven interior. You'll save time and energy in the process.
• If you're looking for state-of-the-art cooking technology, look no further than a Kenmore Elite® induction cooktop or freestanding range. An electromagnetic field heats pans directly instead of heating the cooking surface, so it boils water extremely fast. It's also a safer option for kitchens filled with little hands.
• One of the fastest ways to add flavor is with a grill, indoors or out. Kenmore® has new ways to help you grill, including the Design-Your-Own outdoor kitchen modules, as well as a grill that lets you take foods from grate to plate with almost no cleanup.