To prep, make, and execute a fabulous meal 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! Dinner can be a messy, tedious affair...yet it doesn't have to be. As with anything, planning ahead and preparation can lead to greater success.
Apply these simple suggestions to help organize your meals. You'll likely be surprised at just how effortlessly a meal can be had and cleaned away.
1. Plan ahead. Any amount of planning will assist with the meal making process, whether it's following a detailed recipe, or simply taking some meat from the freezer a day before it's needed. Consider even planning a whole weeks menu in advance and sticking it somewhere in the kitchen, that way family members can let you know in advance if they don't like something, giving you time to change it if possible.
2. Organize your kitchen. Always having kept certain items in certain places doesn't mean that you should continue to do so. Box up or give to others utensils or appliances you no longer use, and better organize the things you do i.e. if the items that most frequently are put in the dishwasher aren't in the cabinets closest to it - move things around.
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. Even better, give someone else the job of taking out the garbage.
4. Place ingredients away straight after you finish with them. Use some time to clean up whilst cooking, and you will be amazed at how much more manageable the state of your kitchen is when you're done. It's no excuse to say that where you store you ingredients is too far away as, if that is the case, then you should move them closer.
5. Buy in bulk where possible. Keep dry goods on hand that you know you will use frequently in order to minimize the likelihood of last minute grocery store trips. Not will it save you time, it will also save you money too, as buying in bulk means cheaper prices.
6. Clean a dish here or there. 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, then you'll be cutting down the workload later on.
7. Set the table as early as possible. If this task is out of the way early it is one less thing competing for your attention at mealtime. Even setting it an hour or two should be no problem, after all, what's the point in delaying it?
8. Delegate. Ensure that members of your family know beforehand what their job is i.e. doing the dishes, clearing their plates etc. If they complain, then tell how much hard work the actual cooking is, and that it is only fair that they contribute in some way.
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