The French Technique to a Clean Kitchen
by Alina Orozco
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The French technique (mise-en-place) to a clean kitchen while you cook explained, plus how you can apply the mise-en-place method in your home. Tips and tricks you need for effortlessly clean kitchen.
What is Mise-en-place?
Mise-en-place is simply the practice of gathering all the ingredients and utensils you need to prepare the meal before cooking, and then systematically putting items away and cleaning dishes and workstation as you cook.
Sometimes it’s not so much the cooking part that really feels overwhelming, but the massive clean up that has to happen afterwards that makes dining out look so much more appealing.
That’s because at home, we do not do what virtually every restaurant kitchen around the world does, and that’s prep and clean as you go. It sounds easier said than done, but the French technique known as mise-en-place, which translates to “put in place,” can transform the way you cook in your kitchen.
“If I had to boil it down, the three things we can take from restaurant cooks are more butter, more salt, and prepare your materials before you start cooking.”
—Sam Sifton, cofounder of The New York Times’ Cooking recipe site
How to Use Mise-en-Place in Your Kitchen
Next time you’re preparing to make a meal, it might not be a bad idea to pretend you’re hosting your own cooking show or making a tik tok.
Line up all the ingredients in front of you. Slice, cut and prep all the items you need and put the rest away.
Clean the cutting boards and bowls as you no longer need them, and watch how much faster and easier your meal gets made, and without that hellish clean up afterwards.
Tools To Use in the Kitchen to Keep it Clean As You Cook
Rachel Ray was on to something when she introduced a garbage bowl on her cooking show. The idea was simply to get rid of all trash as you prepare your meal. This means cleaning your counters and getting rid of all unused trash as you prep every item.
I find that using this scrapper really helps keep my kitchen work area clean, as it helps scoop everything I need and also to discard items I don’t.
These eco friendly paper towels are also a great way to keep your counters clean.
Julia Childs recommends you wash everything as you go, which is why this drying rack is a great addition to your kitchen sink.
Lastly, I find wearing an apron is a great way to keep yourself tidy as you cook.
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