Ten tips to change your life in the kitchen

• Pour cream and coconut milk into ice cube trays, then transfer to a bag when frozen to save space.
• If a lot of your dishes begin with chopped onions and garlic fried in oil until soft, make a big batch and freeze individual portions for future meals. They won't freeze solid because of the oil, so they are ready to use almost immediately.
• Freeze chopped fresh herbs in bags or covered with a splash of water in ice cube trays.
• Freeze extra chopped chillies, lemon grass and lime leaves (all used in Thai dishes.)
• Peel fresh ginger and freeze in a bag - it keeps indefinitely and is easier to grate from frozen.

8. Get organised

• When you first walk into the kitchen, preheat the oven or grill to get it up to temperature while you prepare other things.
• Get water on for pasta and rice or boil the kettle for even quicker cooking.
• Pull the ingredients out of the fridge and cupboard instead of going for them one at a time.
• If chopping vegetables, use a small bowl for the trimmings and other waste - it can go straight into the bin or compost heap all at once.