5 Simple Ways To Have Success With Your Daily Cooking Routine

by Barbara Kemp September 19, 2021

September is a time to get into the rhythm of a daily cooking routine. To help succeed with this everyday chore, here are five simple steps to assist in the process.

1. Always start cooking in a clean kitchen

When I walk into a clean kitchen, I have a sense of calm. However, if the sink is filled with dirty dishes and there are empty cartons on the counter, plus dirty utensils strewn about, I get angry. It’s not a pleasant way to start cooking. Meal prep can be stressful, especially if you have hungry mouths begging for dinner. I think you’ll agree, it’s easier to handle the pressure if you start with a clean kitchen.

2. Keep a stocked pantry

Half the battle of cooking is deciding what to cook. No one likes to change their recipe selection halfway through cooking, because you are missing an essential ingredient in a recipe. In our house, this could cause a volcanic eruption, so always keep a stocked pantry.

3. Read your recipe from start to finish BEFORE you begin cooking

This will save you the stress of not having the recipe turn out as expected. Check that you have all the ingredients you need, and read the directions to eliminate any surprises. If you only have 15 minutes to cook a meal, you definitely don’t want to learn it takes an hour to cook it after you’ve already started. Give yourself a chance to succeed by reading the directions in the recipe first.

4. Sit down and enjoy eating your meal at a counter or table

This is a big one for me. If I go to the trouble to cook a meal, I want to sit down and enjoy it with everyone else. If you don’t have anyone to share it with, then set the table anyway; maybe light a candle, turn on some music, and enjoy what you’ve created.

5. Clean your kitchen before you turn off the lights

Some people have a knack of cleaning the kitchen as they cook, and then when they’re finished, it’s immaculate. Unfortunately, that’s not me. I can create absolute chaos making a peanut butter sandwich. Needless to say, I always clean the kitchen before I leave. It’s like closing the cover of a book before heading off to bed.