Meal prepping offers undeniable benefits like time and money savings, healthier eating, and reduced food waste. But what if the thought of dedicating hours to prepping meals fills you with dread? This method offers a path of least resistance, delivering most of the advantages of meal prepping without the upfront time commitment. This system revolves around a simple Sunday activity: braising.
Braising transforms tougher cuts of meat into tender, flavorful wonders. This process not only creates a delicious foundation for multiple meals but also simplifies weeknight cooking dramatically. By front-loading the cooking process, you’ll have a versatile protein ready to be incorporated into various quick and easy dishes throughout the week.
Traditional meal prepping often involves preparing entire meals in advance, leading to reheated dishes that can lack freshness and texture. This approach differs by focusing on preparing a key ingredient—braised meat—that can then be combined with fresh components for a variety of meals. This allows for more spontaneity and creativity in your weeknight cooking.
The psychology behind this method hinges on the “two-minute rule.” This principle emphasizes establishing a simple, easily achievable gateway habit that naturally leads to more productive behaviors. In this case, the two-minute habit is simply purchasing a braising cut of meat.
Braised chuck roastAlt: Tender, shredded chuck roast after braising, ready for weeknight meals.
This small act sets the stage for the rest of the process: salting the meat, braising it, and finally, transforming it into various dishes throughout the week. This simple starting point significantly lowers the barrier to entry and makes the overall process less daunting.
The braising process itself is remarkably straightforward. Season the meat generously with salt, sear it in a Dutch oven to develop rich browning, then add your braising liquid (even water works!). Cover and braise in a low oven (around 300°F) for several hours until the meat is fork-tender.
Searing chuck roast in a Dutch ovenAlt: Searing a chuck roast in a Dutch oven before braising.
Once braised, the meat can be stored and used in countless ways. This method encourages culinary creativity by challenging you to combine the braised meat with different flavor profiles and ingredients you already have on hand.
One example is a Banh Mi-inspired sandwich. Crisp up some braised beef in a pan, add sriracha, hoisin sauce, and a dash of Maggi seasoning. Pile this flavorful mixture onto a baguette with fresh cucumber, pickled carrots, cilantro, and mayonnaise.
Banh Mi-inspired sandwich with braised beefAlt: A delicious Banh Mi-inspired sandwich made with braised beef.
Another option is Beef Tinga. Blend canned tomatoes, chipotles in adobo, onion, garlic, oregano, and salt. Simmer this sauce with the braised beef. Serve on tostadas with toppings like sour cream, avocado, diced onion, cotija cheese, cilantro, and lime.
Beef Tinga tostadasAlt: Beef Tinga tostadas with fresh toppings.
As your braised meat dwindles, consider making a crispy topping for pasta. Sauté minced garlic and rosemary in oil, then add the remaining braised beef and cook until crispy. Toss with your favorite pasta and a simple tomato sauce.
Crispy beef pasta toppingAlt: Crispy beef topping with garlic and rosemary for pasta.
The Sunday Braise method isn’t about strict recipes but rather a framework for effortless weeknight meals. By starting with one simple action – buying a braising cut – you unlock a world of culinary possibilities without the burden of extensive meal prepping. This method empowers you to enjoy delicious, home-cooked meals even on the busiest weeknights.
