# Caroline Chambers on Cooking Hellscape > Caroline Chambers explains why cooking feels like an absolute hellscape and how to make it fast. - Title: Caroline Chambers on Cooking Hellscape · Bon Appétit - Summary: Caroline Chambers explains why cooking feels like an absolute hellscape and how to make it fast. Caroline Chambers says cooking feels like a hellscape due to… - Keywords: caroline chambers, make it fast, postpartum meals, rotisserie chicken, kids food preferences, time-saving cooking, chopping techniques, peanut sauce, frozen dumplings, pb and j, food, lifestyle - Source: Bon Appétit — https://bonappetit.com/story/caroline-chambers-make-it-fast-interview - Author: Chris Morocco - Published: 2026-10-14T21:00:00+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: caroline chambers, make it fast, postpartum meals, rotisserie chicken, kids food preferences, time-saving cooking, chopping techniques, peanut sauce, frozen dumplings, pb and j, food, lifestyle ## Cooking as Hellscape Caroline Chambers says cooking dinner feels like an absolute hellscape because we don’t have time. > i think that a huge, huge part of why cooking dinner can feel like such an absolute hellscape is that we simply do not have the time ## Time Investment Matters Knowing how much time a meal takes helps cooks feel confident they can do it. > knowing exactly how much of a time investment you are going to have to make feels really good ## Prep Time Transparency Chopping time is included in recipes to avoid wasting time on mise-en-place. > when i lay out exactly when they should prep each ingredient, i can help maximize their efficiency in the oven ## Time-Saving Ingredients Bagged salads, frozen garlic, and Better Than Bouillon save time in the kitchen. > taylor farms caesar is a regular staple in my household ## Rotisserie Chicken Caroline eats rotisserie chicken straight up or chops it for kids. > i mostly just eat it straight up. chop it up for the kids, throw a leg to the baby in his high chair ## Kids' Food Preferences Four kids with different tastes make finding meals challenging. > i have four boys, 7, 6, 4, and 14 months. those little turds will tell me ribs are their favorite meal ## Two-Bite Rule Kids must try two bites of dinner before getting a PB and J. > they have to try at least two bites of dinner, and if they truly do not like it, i’ll make them a pb and j or hummus and veggies ## Frozen Dumplings Steaming frozen dumplings and broccoli florets makes a quick meal. > i steam frozen dumplings and broccoli florets at the same time in a steamer basket ## Salt and Pepper Advice Salt and pepper are not married, black pepper was marketed with salt. > salt and pepper are not married ## Cooking Tips Cook once, eat twice. Freeze extras for future meals. > cook once, eat twice. always cook more than you’re going to eat. if you don’t need leftovers the next day, freeze it ## Kitchen Essentials A chef’s knife, paring knife, and serrated knife are enough for most cooking. > you don’t need a huge fancy knife block. all you really need is a chef’s knife, a paring knife, and a serrated knife ## Compostable Plates Compostable plates are a lifesaver for messy meals. > have a stack of compostable plates for the nights when you absolutely cannot ## Time-Saving Tricks Label leftovers with masking tape and a Sharpie for easy identification. > keep a roll of masking tape and a sharpie in the kitchen drawer to label your leftovers with what they are ## Cooking Hellscape Solution Simple recipes and time-saving tricks make cooking manageable again. > the more people can nail really simple, easy recipes, the more incentivized they are to try things that intimidate them ## Key takeaway Caroline Chambers says cooking feels like a hellscape due to time constraints and lack of cooking skills, but simple recipes and time-saving tricks help.