When I was in high school, we still had Home Ec (economics) class. We learned among other things, how to sew and how to plan a meal and cook it. It was one of my most favorite classes ever. My mother sewed and I always cut the patterns out for her because she didn’t like that part. And, I was already cooking desserts, biscuits and pancakes regularly at home. I did learn a lot that I didn’t know in the kitchen and tips that I still use. At that time, I had not developed many bad kitchen habits. Bad habits are much harder to change than learning things the correct way the first time.
1. Start with a clean kitchen. This is the most important step or me. Clearly it’s hard to work in a messy kitchen with stuff lying all around the countertops. With that being said, I hate to have to clean a kitchen before I start cooking, especially if I’m crunched for time. For me it’s better to keep it clean that way when I have a random craving I can jump in there and start cooking. If it’s not clean, however, I do make myself clean it before starting. I have just found that things run more smoothly when I do this step.
2. Set out all your utensils, pots and pans before beginning a recipe. Uber important so that you’re not opening drawers and cabinets with butter or flour on your hands, or having to wash an item before you can use it. Trust me in the long run this step will save you clean up time.
3. Have two sets of measuring spoons and cups. Not mandatory, but it sure makes things move more smoothly and quickly if you’re not having to stop and wash an item.
4. Place a towel or waxed paper under your work area to keep mess to a minimum. After you’re finished just crunch it up and throw the majority of the mess away!
6. Run your sink full of dish water and wash as you go.
7. Keep a garbage bowl or I prefer just to pull the garbage can beside my work station. This saves steps and mess and keeps garbage off the counters.
8. Set out all your ingredients (and measure them preferably) before you begin a recipe. Nothing is worse than starting a recipe with part of your ingredients already combined when you discover you don’t have enough (or any) of a certain ingredient!
9. Reread your recipe, even if you’ve made it before, mulitple times before beginning. I also reread through the recipe mulitple times as I’m making the dish so that I have everything ready when it’s supposed to be.
10. Relax and enjoy the cooking process.
Daniel Rahm says
Wow! Great tips. Keeping the kitchen clean and organized while cooking is always challenging. I found your post very helpful. I hope I can manage now.
Thanks
Daniel Rahm
Amelia says
This is very remarkable tips. This is very effective and helpful. I appreciate this post. Thank you for the post.
chota bheem says
Thank you for great Article for Clean my kitchen always….
Paula says
Drives me nuts to try and cook in a messy kitchen 🙂 You’re welcome, happy you like the tips
Susan says
Glad to know that there are others out there that do and think like me! :o)
Marilyn Clark says
Super great tips….and in time for the big spring clean! Thanks for sharing at March Madness
Christine says
Such great tips Paula!!!!!
Thanks for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer last week. Can't wait to see what you link up tomorrow evening! Have a great day!!
Melanie Cheripka says
awesome kitchen!!!
Cathy says
And I thought I was the only one who did these tips! When meals are ready to eat the only dishes that are left to clean are the dishes we are eating on or hot pots and pans (which my husband will clean). Awesome post!
Happy Sharefest!
Cathy
Khloé Belle Gadson says
I thought I was the only one that did this.
By the time, I'm done cooking my entire kitchen is spotless except the pots on the stove.
xoxo,
Paula says
Drives me nuts to have a messy kitchen, we’re two of a kind Khloe’.
Paulin says
These are great tips!!! You're welcome to come to my house anytime you're in NYC and help me out 🙂 I love being in the kitchen and cooking but since I live in NYC, my kitchen is tiny and hard to keep clean. I will definitely use these tips and look through your blog for more handy tips. I am so glad I found this place. BTW Happy Sharefest!!!
misssrobin says
Love the idea of getting everything out before I start so I don't get drawers and cupboards dirty opening and hunting. Great tips.
I hope you have a lovely weekend.
Mariann says
You captured all of the most important tips in this post. Being an organized cook is such a challenge for me! Here's hoping I can reference your play-by-play and get it together in the kitchen!
Tamara Camera says
My husband is more of the neat one of the house, but I think your tips have even his beat. I'm bookmarking this for him. Thanks!!
Erin @ The Grass Skirt says
These are great tips! I think that I might have to pin them. Thanks for sharing. 🙂 Stopping by from SITS!
Peggy~PJH Designs says
Great tips Paula! You have a lovely kitchen. Thanks so much for linking up at Transformed Tuesday.
Hugs,
Peggy
MommiFried says
Great tips! 🙂
Anita Stafford says
Great reminders! I think I'll go clear away some clutter from the counter top now!
Marlys @ Thisand That says
Great tips… I need to do a few of these tips as my kitchen is usually a disaster area by the time I am done. Here from tasty thursday.
Rita says
Great ideas! I am with you that you need to start with a clean kitchen. I always run a sink of hot soapy water whenever I start cooking and that really helps me.
Chandra@The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen says
Great tips! I am glad that I do most of those and I am going to start with the wax paper on the counter! Brilliant idea! I found you on Wednesday's Extravaganza!
Noting Grace says
Found you from Fluster Buster. This is perfect timing for these awesome tips! I'm getting my house ready to sell and this will help keep my house show ready while I'm cookiing!
Thanks for the tips!
Jen @ Noting Grace
Christa aka The BabbyMama says
I am SO all about cleaning as you go! And keeping the kitchen clean for next time. If you have to do a sink full of dishes just to get going, how much are you going to enjoy cooking?
Carmen says
I always like a clean kitchen too! I like the idea of getting everything out before getting started- there has been many times I had to stop to go to store- thanks for the reminders and tips!
Carmen says
I also love a clean kitchen to cook but always don't happen! Like the idea of getting everything out first bc I have for in the middle of recipes and realized oops got to go to store!
Melissa Llado says
Wonderful tips! I always feel like a tornado hit once I'm done in the kitchen!!
xtraleo says
I definitely like to clean as I go. I hate to cook, enjoy a meal, end up stuffed and sleepy only to be brought back to reality by a sink full of dishes and dirty counters. Thanks for visiting BeQuoted today!!!
Organized Island says
Great post Paula! I love the idea of pulling out the garbage can.
Cynthia Landrie says
Great tips! I use a few, but will have to incorporate more!
Thanks for sharing
Cynthia at http://FeedingBig.com
Paula Jones says
My mother actually used to do that. My favorite is the garbage can. I used to primarily use a garbage bowl, then I was like 'that's just one more thing on the counter!'
Paula Jones says
I guess I'm obsessed with it because I'm always in the kitchen.
Paula Jones says
Thank you! I a wee bit obsessed with the kitchen
Paula Jones says
Thank you, The whole rest of the house could be a wreck, but I like my kitchen clean. 🙂
Mamamia says
Great tips! And you have a very nice kitchen.
Karen Kerr says
Great tips!
Carli Alice says
My favorite tip was the parchment paper on the counter. I feel so silly that I didn't think of that.
Marilyn Clark says
Awesome tips…thanks so much for motivating me to keep my kitchen clean!