To prep, make, and execute a tasty meal at the exact moment you get your whole family to the table can be tiring. And that doesn't even take into account the clean up! Dinner can be a disorderly, tedious occasion.... but it doesn't have to be. As with anything, forward planning and preparation can lead to greater success.
Utilize these simple suggestions to help organize your meals. You'll surprise yourself with how promptly you can get a meal on (and off) the table. You'll also find that you're better able to maintain a tidy and organized kitchen.
1. Plan ahead. However big or small the meal required is, the more you plan for it, the less stress you'll cause yourself.
2. Organize your kitchen. Just because you've always kept particular items in a certain place, doesn't mean you should. 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 grocery bag on the counter where you cook. All the garbage will end up in there without a second thought. Then make one trip to the garbage can when you're done.
4. Put your ingredients back in the cupboard straight after you finish with them. Use some time to clean up while you cook, and you will be amazed at how much more manageable the state of your kitchen is when you're done.
5. Buy in bulk. Keep dry goods in stock that you know you will use regularly in order to minimize the likelihood of last minute grocery store trips.
6. Clean a dish here or there. Sure there will be dishes to wash after everyone is done eating, but by cleaning at least of few of the prep dishes in between simmers and stirs, then you'll be cutting down the workload later on.
7. Set the table as early as possible. If this is done an hour or so earlier it is one less thing competing for your attention at mealtime.
8. Delegate tasks to others. Ensure that members of your family know beforehand what their job is i.e. doing the dishes, clearing their plates etc.
Utilize these simple suggestions to help organize your meals. You'll surprise yourself with how promptly you can get a meal on (and off) the table. You'll also find that you're better able to maintain a tidy and organized kitchen.
1. Plan ahead. However big or small the meal required is, the more you plan for it, the less stress you'll cause yourself.
2. Organize your kitchen. Just because you've always kept particular items in a certain place, doesn't mean you should. 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 grocery bag on the counter where you cook. All the garbage will end up in there without a second thought. Then make one trip to the garbage can when you're done.
4. Put your ingredients back in the cupboard straight after you finish with them. Use some time to clean up while you cook, and you will be amazed at how much more manageable the state of your kitchen is when you're done.
5. Buy in bulk. Keep dry goods in stock that you know you will use regularly in order to minimize the likelihood of last minute grocery store trips.
6. Clean a dish here or there. Sure there will be dishes to wash after everyone is done eating, but by cleaning at least of few of the prep dishes in between simmers and stirs, then you'll be cutting down the workload later on.
7. Set the table as early as possible. If this is done an hour or so earlier it is one less thing competing for your attention at mealtime.
8. Delegate tasks to others. Ensure that members of your family know beforehand what their job is i.e. doing the dishes, clearing their plates etc.
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