Tips for keeping your kitchen clean when you cook – Part 10

I love to cook, but clean-up is a real drag. Everyone enjoys the meal and then you are left with the mess while they zone out in front of the television. When my family was young I did most of my meal preparation at my mother’s house. She had a very large kitchen and she lived right next to me so it was easier to make meals for two families at her house rather then in my small kitchen.

When you cook for a large family the mess can accumulate quite fast if you are not well organized. The key is to plan what you need and place it within reach while cooking and when ever you have a moment clean the used utensils and put back in its place. This will keep the clutter to a minimum.

My mom used to tell me that I took after my father in the kitchen. She used to tell me that when I cooked I made a mess from one end of the counter to the other and since most of her kitchen was counters the mess truly did cover the entire kitchen. Since my mom was such a neat nick this would be such a frustrating time for her, so over the last twenty years of cooking holiday meals for twenty people or more you learn ways to make clean up easier.

One of the best ways to keep a kitchen clean while cooking is to clean as you go. Keep a large bowl handy for peelings and any trash that would normally accumulate on the counters. Washing the dishes as you use them will lessen the clean up time and allow you more time to spend with the family. Keeping a wet cloth handy to wipe counter tops will allow you to have plenty of clean work space when needed. This also prevents the chance of Sal-manila or food poisoning. If baking a roast it is easier to use one of those cook-in bags or to line the pan with aluminum foil. I also find that when cooking fruit pies if you line the bottom of the oven with foil it will catch any drippings and eliminate the need to clean the oven with every use.

When the meal is over clear the table and do the dishes immediately. If you have friends or family over and want to visit with them accept the offer of help when given. Most people refuse the help because they feel that their guests shouldn’t have to do any of the work, but most people are more than happy to roll up their sleeves and lend a hand. This assistance will allow more time for visiting with your guests rather than making them wait till you are done.

In conclusion if you clean as you go and you are well organized then you and your guests will have a more enjoyable dining experience.

Related posts:

1. Tips for keeping your kitchen clean when you cook – Part 6
2. Tips for keeping your kitchen clean when you cook – Part 11
3. Tips for keeping your kitchen clean when you cook – Part 21

Tagged with: Counter Tops • Meal Preparation • Sal

Filed under: Kitchen Photos

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