Having feasted on traditional fare over the past few weeks and all the trimmings that accompany this time of year; one question comes to mind. How did your kitchen function with all that the holidays expect of it?
Preparing turkey, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, gingerbread cookies, ham, yams and more. Was it smooth sailing with enough room to work, ingredients close to hand and the proper tools for making preparation easier? Or were you digging through stacks of pots and pans, opening drawers filled to capacity and moving around the kitchen more than you wanted to?
Creating a kitchen that enhances the process of preparation alleviates much of the stress associated with cooking. Think about your kitchen and how it relates to the following four simple questions.
First…how is your kitchen used?
Begin by looking at how the space is used on a day to day basis. Do you often prepare larger family meals from scratch, enjoy baking, make preserves or can garden vegetables? Or do you put together very simple meals; soups, sandwiches, salads. Perhaps you rarely use this area and go out to eat more often? The key to an efficient kitchen is organizing it in a way that makes sense to you and those that use it.
Second…do you use everything you have?
When you do take time in the kitchen, are you using all that is stored in that area? Are there extra dishes, pots and pans, utensils and gadgets that get overlooked because they don’t work well or are broken? Take stock of each item and how it really benefits meal preparation. Does it operate smoothly and save you time, is it pleasing to look at and a joy to use? Reviewing each piece will take some time, but the reward will gain you valuable space and tools that work well.
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Third…where is the best placement?
Once you have really considered each piece, place items where each is needed and used the most. A logical placement for dishes and glassware is between the sink/dishwasher and the table; pots and pans make sense housed near the stovetop and oven; storage pieces placed next to the refrigerator make it easy to put leftovers away, while large/seasonal items could be stored above it. Baking will be quicker and easier by setting up a specific area with a mixer, measuring cups and spoons, baking ingredients and pans, preferably between the sink and the oven. Canned goods work well stored in lower cupboards because of their weight and bulk. Pantries are a great place to store extra food items and small appliances. Utensils and silverware are convenient when placed in jars or pitchers on the counter and give a homey look, or place them in a top drawer close to where they are used.
Fourth…how can your kitchen be more enticing?
Make your kitchen an inviting place to be, somewhere that encourages people to gather and experiment with recipes and different foods. Place a bowl of fruit on the counter so the colors and fragrance are apparent. Use a tea kettle instead of the microwave to heat water for hot drinks. This adds an element of ritual and anticipation as you wait for the water to boil. The addition of colorful dishtowels and a wooden dish rack bring in color and texture. Place pretty cookbooks on an open shelf, where it is more tempting to seek out a new dish. Use glass canisters for sugar, flour, pasta and the like. Display colorful dishes on open shelving or behind glass doors. Don’t forget the inside of the refridgerator and cupboards, group contents in an organized and inspiring arrangement so it is fun to open the doors and peek inside. Let in as much light as possible; perhaps install undercabinet lighting to illuminate the workspace. Rag rugs add color and comfort to the floor and clean up easily in the washing machine.
Following these four steps can help you simplify the task of food preparation. By using cooking pans with a nice shape, hand carved wooden utensils, appliances that work well and dishes that add to your presentation; working in your kitchen can be a more satisfying and enjoyable experience. Preparing simple wholesome food in a clean and organized space creates more time to gather around the table with loved ones and relax together.
