Polly, whenever I start cooking, I do something else also side by side to save my time.

I do my grocery shopping in the Thursday evenings or Friday Mornings and finish cooking on Fridays/Saturdays.

A good stock of homemade Kabab, seekh kabab & chops in your freezer also make a great meal with 'daal chawal'.

Keep always Potatoes in store. You can make from 'em a spicy dry bhaji, liquidy bhujiya, cutlets, parathas & rice (tahri) also within limited time.