To prep, make, and execute a delicious meal at the right moment you get your whole family to the table can be exhausting. Then there’s the cleaning up afterwards! Dinner can be a messy, tedious occasion…. but it doesn’t have to be. Like with other things, planning and preparation are the keys to success.
Apply these simple suggestions to help organize your meal preparations. You’ll surprise yourself with how quickly you can get dinner on (and off) the dinner table. You’ll additionally find that you’re better able to maintain a tidy and organized kitchen.
1. Plan ahead. Any amount of planning will assist with the dinner making process, whether it’s following a detailed meal plan, or simply 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. On the counter where you cook, keep an empty grocery bag. 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. Place your ingredients away after you use them. Use some time to clean up while you cook, and you will be amazed at how improved the state of your cooking area is when you come back to it after eating.
5. Buy in bulk where possible. Keep dry goods on hand that you know you will use regularly in order to avoid last minute grocery store trips.
6. Wash a dish or two early. Sure there will be dishes to wash after everyone is done eating, but if you can clean at least of few of the prep dishes while you’re simmering or in between 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. Make sure your members of your family know beforehand what their job is i.e. clearing the plates, doing the dishes etc.
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