Kids & Company Blog

Tidy Tips

If you’re anything like me, your kitchen can be quite a disaster zone when you are busy cooking. While focusing on the cooking and the baking, I often forget about the clean up I have to deal with and just let everything pile up! Throughout the years I have learned a few tips and tricks that might help you keep your kitchen an organized and clean heaven, because we all love to have a clean kitchen to cook in!!!

1. Make a grocery List. Keep a note pad on the refrigerator so you can always jot done any ingredients you are missing. This will benefit you when going to the grocery store and organizing your meals for the week.

 

2. Plan the mess. Instead of walking over to the garbage can or compost, position a scrap bowl on the counter and use it as you work.

 

3. Use ramekins (small bowls) to place ingredients. They are great to keep yourself organized when making your meals and in keeping the counter top clean.

 

4. Use dishes twice. If you’re sautéing a bunch of veggies in a pan and need to sauté them separately, no need to wash the pan before reusing. All the food will be going into the same dish eventually, save time by using it again without the added cleaning. This goes for your utensils too!

 

5. Clean as you go. Take the time to clean dishes as you are cooking. This will save you loads of time in the end.

 

6. Oven Liners. When you place a pan or dish in the oven, place it on a shallow baking sheet to contain any food that bubbles over.

 

7. Care for your tools. Good cooks take good care of their pots, pans and utensils. Clean the inside and outside of all your tools when using them.

 

8. Line cutting board with a flexible cutting mat. Instead of picking up your big, heavy cutting board, use a thin, flexible cutting mat on top. When it’s time to transfer ingredients, pick up the mat and bend into a funnel so everything falls neatly into the pot.

Most importantly, have fun in the kitchen! Don’t worry and try not to focus on the mess. Get the kids involved and get them to help out with cleaning and cooking. Open your mind to new ideas, tips and techniques! We can all learn from each other, and in the process have a better, cleaner, happier kitchen and cooking life all year-round!

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @kidcochildcare and on Instagram @cheflisaruscica!

Cheers,

Chef Lisa Ruscica

Chief Food Ambassador

Posted on: Wednesday September 28th, 2016

Posted by: Lisa Ruscica