How to Cook without Making a Mess

A clean and ordered kitchen is the key to quick food preparation and great taste.  Most of us have little time for maintaining perfect order, so here are some busy cook's tips for keeping it all neat and organized in the midst of even the messiest recipes.

Believe it or not, how organized and clean your work surface is while cooking can greatly affect the taste of the finished product.  When you have time to actually focus on the stove top instead of making your way through a jungle of ingredients and dirty pans, your finished meal will show the difference.  Many cooking mistakes can be avoided by keeping ingredients in order, the utensils clean, and the work space clear of clutter.  

Baking
Most baking recipes that make use of ingredients made from scratch need at least some free counter space.  You may be rolling dough, sifting, mixing and pounding – all of which require space to maneuver and a clean countertop.  For baking and for any other recipe, the first step to success is to start out with a clean kitchen and an empty sink.  Make sure all the dishes are washed and the counters are clean at the end of the day.  When you are ready to cook the next meal, your kitchen will be smiling with cleanliness.

Thanksgiving Dinner (for 20!)
Cooking for a large crowd, especially a meal that is meant to be luxurious in its variety of foods, can be a challenge even in the largest kitchen.  Keeping it all together and organized requires thinking ahead and a willingness to work double time – cooking and cleaning as you go.  Place a plastic container by the sink filled with warm, soapy water and drop dirty utensils and dishes in the bin as you work.  If you are expecting stuck-on grease that will be difficult to remove, add vinegar to the soapy water.  Once you are done cooking, the cleanup should be a breeze.

Exotic Spices
Most Indian and Middle Eastern dishes make use turmeric as a spice to add flavor and color to the meal.  Your guests will surely be delighted with the exotic and pungent aroma of these ethnic cuisines, but your kitchen counters may not be as appreciative of the yellow stains any spill can leave.  A simple method used by Indian cooks for removing the resistant yellow color is by pouring lime juice over the stain.  

Stir-Fries
Stir-fries require constant supervision and expert timing.  Prepare all of the ingredients ahead of time to avoid scrambling for things in the middle of frying.  You will minimize the chances of over cooking, or even burning your dinner.  This is an ideal for any recipe.  Think of your kitchen as being featured in a cooking show.  All the ingredients are measured, washed, chopped and lovingly placed in front of you in advance.

One Pot Wonders
On those extra busy days, you may as well accept the fact that the 40-step recipe you had been planning for dinner will have to wait its turn.  Instead opt for a one-pot meal such as a stew, soup or casserole to minimize preparation time.  Measure the ingredients over the sink to minimize a mess, and have a miniature garbage bin on the countertop or one side of a double sink to dispose waste as you go.  To avoid greasy spills on the stove top or in the oven, line the surfaces with tin foil before starting.  Cleaning up will simply require lifting off the soiled foil.  

Casseroles tend to leave stuck-on grease on the baking pan.  Boil soapy water in a dirty pot to remove stains or pour over stubborn spots on the pan.  Let sit for a few minutes; the grease should come right off.