To prep, make, and execute a delicious dinner at the right moment you get your whole family to the table can be tiring. And then you have to clear it all away afterwards too! As with anything, forward planning and preparation can lead to greater success.
Apply these simple suggestions to help organize your dinner. You’ll likely be surprised at just how effortlessly a meal can be had and cleaned away. A cleaner and more organized kitchen will be an added bonus.
1. Plan ahead. Any measure of planning will assist with the meal making process, whether it’s following a detailed meal plan, or just taking some meat out of the freezer a day before it’s needed.
2. Organize your kitchen. Always having kept certain items in certain places doesn’t mean that you should continue to do so. Move your most often used items to spots nearest where you most often stand and give away any utensils or appliances that no longer get used.
3. Keep a plastic bag on the work surface where you cook. Do so, and you can drop all the garbage straight in there, rather than having it build up and get scattered around. Once you’re done, then you just need to make a single trip to the garbage can.
4. Put your ingredients back in the cupboard after you use them. Spend some time cleaning up whilst cooking and you will be surprised at how much more manageable the state of your kitchen is when you come back to it after eating.
5. Buy in bulk where possible. Keep dry goods in stock that you tend to use frequently in order to minimize the likelihood of last minute trips to the grocery store.
6. Wash a dish or two early. Sure there will be dishes to clean after the meal is done, but by cleaning at least of few of the prep dishes in between simmers and stirs, there will be less.
7. Set the table early. If this is done early it is one less thing competing for your attention whilst you’re cooking.
8. Delegate tasks to others. Ensure that family members know prior to eating what their job is i.e. doing the dishes, clearing their plates etc.
Learn More : Learn To Cook : A Beginner’s Guide
