There are two types of cooks in the world. First, there are the ones who make a fantastic meal, but everyone dreads going into the kitchen to help clean up because there are soiled pots and pans a mile high in the sink and puddles of food products all over the counter. The second type of cook also prepares a delicious meal, but has a kitchen that barely looks like it was used once she is done. I have always striven to be the second type of cook. For me, it makes mealtime a lot more relaxing because I know I won't have an hour's worth of kitchen cleanup afterward. Also, I don't have the space to spread out in my small kitchen--I need every inch of counter space. Finally, I simply like the feeling of a neat and clean kitchen while I cook. If someone has watched any professional cooking competitions on TV, she knows that each cook is graded on how neat he keeps his kitchen while he prepares the food. A clean kitchen provides an organized pattern of cooking as well as a sanitary workspace.
So what are the tricks?
1. Employ the "while it is in your hand" method. This is the number one key to organization-not only in the kitchen, but throughout the home. Let me explain how it works. I use a measuring cup to measure oil for pancakes, after I have poured the oil in the batter, I know that I am not going to use that cup again, so I have the choice of putting it on the counter, or while it is in my hand, taking it right to the dishwasher and putting it on a rack (if I am going to wash it by hand-to the sink, which I can pre-fill with soapy water, rinse it off, dry it, and put it back on the shelf (5-20 seconds of time total)). This may seem like a lot of time consuming work, but by it is much faster than saving it all for later-letting all those good things dry on the food and scrubbing and scouring each pan.
2. Multitask dishes. This takes thoughtfulness in cooking, but it saves so much time. For instance, as I am making the pancake batter, I need to measure 2 c. of flour and 1/2 c. oil. I am going to start with a measuring cup big enough to use for the flour and oil (those glass Pyrex ones are great). I am not going to get out a 2 cup measuring dish and a 1/2 cup measuring dish, but after I am done with measuring the flour, I set the cup aside to measure for oil. It works well. Also, I will mix the batter in a bowl with a lip so I can pour out the batter easily and not have to get a scoop or pour the batter into bowl #B before pouring.
3. Use a dishwasher. Not every homemaker has the luxury of a dishwasher, so I have come to cherish mine. Washing dishes by hand has its sentiments, however there are hundreds of better ways I could utilize my time--like playing with my baby or spending time with my husband. When cooking, I try to choose the dishes that I know can be cleaned by the dishwasher and keep myself out of the kitchen for cleanup.
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