Mise en place: prepare first, cook second
The habit that makes cooking calm.
What it means
Mise en place is French for everything in its place. Before you cook, read the recipe, chop, measure and gather. Then cook.
Why it works
Fast dishes, like omelettes, stir-fries and pan sauces, leave no time to chop. Doing the prep first means you watch the pan, not the board. It also shows early that you are missing an ingredient.
A simple routine
- Read the recipe fully.
- Get out the pans, bowls and tools.
- Prepare ingredients: chop, grate, zest, measure.
- Put prepared items in small bowls in order of use.
- Clean as you go: a bowl for scraps, a cloth for the board.
Habits from a working kitchen
- Taste everything.
- Keep a clean cloth on your shoulder or by the board.
- Keep your knife sharp and your board steady, with a damp cloth underneath.
- Wash tools as soon as you finish with them.
Gear I use in this kitchen
Three simple tools behind most of the recipes here. Amazon Associate links.
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