Mise En Place

Mise En Place is a French phase for 'everything in its place."  When it comes to cooking and baking, I have terrible mise en place.  I barely read a recipe through, let alone am able to keep the kitchen organized and tidy while I cook.  I don't even take the time to close the doors to the cupboards.  Why waste the time?  I am going to open them again sooner or later.  Those hinges have only so many opens and closes.  And yes, I have injured myself more than once, wasting any time saved in swearing and applying bandaids.

Randy, on the other hand, has wonderful mise en place.  He does everything perfectly, right down to washing not only the dishes he used in cooking, but any other dishes that need to be done.  

I am so lucky in so many ways.  He cooks!  He cleans! He empties the dishwasher!  Don't get excited - it's not without being asked.

I dislike immensely emptying the dishwasher.  I was grumbling out loud about it the other day and Randy said "Isn't it my turn?"  I told him it's always his turn.  And I ended up emptying it anyway.

Anyway ~

I taught Will and Sammy the phrase mise en place.  Because kids learn by example, I had better practice what I preach.  

I am trying to make a practice of reading the recipe well beforehand so I know if something has to be cooked first or if I am missing an ingredient. 

I am trying to get all the ingredients out and organized before I start assembling.

I am trying hard not to take shortcuts, because most of my shortcuts usually end up being long-cuts.

What better way to practice my mise en place by making cookies?  I will practice, practice, practice until I get it right!

Hmmmm... Cookies.  Ya'll know how much I dislike immensely cookies.

Have the BEST day ever!

~ Dorothy