Cooking can be one of the best ways to unwind after a stressful day, bond with loved ones, or satisfy a craving. But sometimes, cooking can become more chaotic than calm. And this can be caused by many things, sometimes happening all at once: your mind is all over the place, having to think of doing many things at the same time (“Is the washing done?”, “Have I prepped the kids’ lunches for tomorrow?”, “Did I pay that electricity bill?”).
The good news? You don’t need a professional culinary course to make your time in the kitchen easier or smoother. Just a few 5-minute habits can help you cook smarter, not harder.
1. Read the recipe
This might sound super obvious, but reading a recipe thoroughly already saves you time, no skimming allowed. Take 5 minutes to read it, and then re-read to make comments or highlight important steps. This is an important step that helps shift your mindset to get you in the cooking zone.
You’ll know exactly what to start with, what to focus on, and what to start preparing before turning on the stove.
2. Prep
Every chef-in-training is taught how to prep and why it matters so much. Preparing saves you a lot of time and will ensure a successful outcome. Half-prepping ingredients and half-cooking them can turn into a disaster very quickly. Since sauteéing, stir-frying, searing and blanching happen quickly, it is important to have the ingredients prepared for these steps and the next.
Take 5 to 10 minutes to:
- Gather all the ingredients needed for the recipe,
- Switch on the oven if you need to preheat it,
- Boil the kettle if you need hot water at some point during the cook,
- Measure out liquids, flours, powders, spices, fruits, and vegetables,
- Stabilise your chopping board (by placing a damp cloth underneath) for chopping, slicing, and dicing, or
- Set up your food processor or mixer to help you process ingredients more efficiently, not to mention faster, and
- Place all prepped ingredients in containers, or a sheet pan, for ease of use (and to help you double-check that you haven’t forgotten anything).
3. Mise en place
A common French cooking term that translates into “everything in its place” – and it’s every chef’s secret weapon. Mise en place is a 5-minute habit that will take your cooking skills from average to amazing. Since you’ve prepped your ingredients into containers, take another 5 minutes to gather all the equipment, utensils, and cookware you’ll need for the recipe.
Arrange them in order of use, on the right stoveplate or on the right rack in the oven. Then start heating things up. Mise en place helps a cook or chef have a smooth cook: there’s no rushing in between steps for this pan or that utensil, no ingredient will be missing or forgotten. Mise en place gives you the time to carry out the cooking techniques with focus and skill, with no interruptions involved.
4. Clean as you cook
This step is a crucial time-saver, and one of the most underrated habits of all. Fill the sink with hot, soapy water, or make sure your dishwasher is empty. Have a cleaning cloth close by, and tidy as you go.
Every time you chop an ingredient, weigh an ingredient, finish using a container or pan, pop it into the sink or dishwasher and wipe down the counter or stovetop before moving on to the next step (or in-between steps if the recipe is intricate or fast-moving). You’ll be amazed that by the time you plate the food, your kitchen is actually half clean, and all that is left to clean is an odd saucepan or roasting tray, utensil, and the dishes.
Cooking doesn’t have to be time-consuming or stressful. With these quick, mindful habits, you can transform your kitchen routine into something seamless and even enjoyable. The best part? You’ll free up time for what really matters: enjoying the meal (and the company) you made it for.
Also See: The 7 Most Common Fridge Mistakes You’re Making (and how to fix them)
The 7 Most Common Fridge Mistakes You’re Making (and how to fix them)
