Kitchen Tips

Need some organizing tips to get your kitchen running smoother? I've put together a list from various kitchen experts, and I’m sharing their tried and true tips in their own words.

Barb S. Get those favorite family recipes written down & saved now!

Louise G. Take a recipe and play with it to make it your own. Even the old family favorites can be tweaked.

Bernie J.  When you realize if you don't like a certain herb or spice or a particular fish, etc., you don't have to use it. You can use something that you do like. I look at recipes as suggestions not rules (except in baking). Make recipes your own and enjoy them!

The other thing is don't think you have to have a kitchen full of appliances - I'm not talking about the stove. Buy a few good appliances (blender, food processor, stand mixer, etc.) and they'll last for years. You don't have to have every new thing that comes out on the market.

I try to keep my pantry organized by having basic ingredients always on hand, and also non-pantry items like tinfoil, paper towels and plastic containers. Those definitely come in handy with big parties where you have leftovers to package. Good to have a running shopping list on the fridge to keep track of the staple items we use all the time.

Rob B. I say relax and have fun. You're a cook, not a chef - you don't have to hit a home run every time. And you'll learn more from the things that don't go well, anyway...

Kathy G. Don't try a brand new dish or something to complicated on company. Give it a test run first. I have made things that look and sound great on paper but no big wow when done.  Also, we don't have all the prep chefs like they do on the cooking channels ...allow for plenty of time for prep (washing, sorting, chopping etc.)

Angi B. My least favorite part of holiday cooking is the cleanup. If I'm cooking, I prefer to be the only one in the kitchen. I am a little particular and organized in my own way and don't want anybody messing with my routine, but that also leaves me to do all the work - so I try to make it as easy on myself as I can. The night before, I make a list of everything that I'm making and what dishes, pans, utensils I will need for it. I get out everything that I am going to use and have it stacked and ready to go so that I am not scrambling for a pan or dish at the same time as I'm trying to do 12 things at once. I also make sure that the kitchen is clean and clutter free the night before and I keep a sink full of hot dishwater throughout the cooking process so that I can wash as I go. Yesterday, when everything came out of the oven, there was not one single dirty dish...counter was clean, floor swept...and stress was not present. It was awesome, lol.

Donna R. My advice to a new cook would be to buy a simple cookbook to start -and read the directions well.

Lynnette F. And read the directions all the way through before starting to cook! 

Jim C. Have sharp knives and a good, solid cutting board... practice various cuts; slice, chop, dice, mince, julienne, etc. Keep the fingers and thumb curled under and out of the way. Sharpen knives frequently.

Linda W. Make sure that you have everything you need to make the recipe before you start so that you don't waste a lot of money because you are missing a key ingredient.

Diane M. My tip for the new cook is don't cut corners. If the recipe tells you to use butter than use it. I also suggest that you make the recipe exactly as it tells you the first time. Once you know what it tastes like then you can add or take away to make the recipe uniquely yours. Most of all remember we were all new cooks at one time and we have all had food disasters.

Gill P. Large amounts of alcohol, online shopping for food and presents, pretending you can’t cook so your husband does, lol. I think the most important one for me is, it’s just one day, so don’t get too hung up on it!

Linda R. Don’t do any home renovations before Christmas.... too much stress!

Michael D. Be as laid back as possible concerning specific times you need to see relatives... ie. - "All of our children and grandchildren must see us between 3 - 5 PM Christmas day or your outta the will!" As long as you see ‘em sometime this week all is well!

Jackie D. Freeze ice cubes with liquor, then the drinks won't get watered down.

Carrie O. When you pack away your Christmas lights this year, wrap each strand neatly around a wide, flat piece of cardboard. You can write where you hung the lights, how many are on the strand, any problems with it. Label the box that your 'spools' are in, noting how many & which lights are in it. When you take them out next year, they won't be tangled & you'll know what you've got.

Louise G. The basic advise I can give is: Just relax and keep trying, today's meal might not be a hit, but tomorrows might. Do not be afraid to use some shortcuts when needed. Don't have time to chop onions, buy some pre-chopped. Enjoy the process, you might be surprised what you can do and created. So you don't have all the fancy appliances, people do not care about that, the fact that you took the time to create for them is the most important part. Even a "not so good" meal is better when shared with people we care and love.