The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home, and for good reason. It’s where we nourish our bodies and connect with loved ones over a shared meal. However, spending time in the kitchen sometimes feels like a chore rather than a joy.
Whether it’s the stress of meal planning, the pressure to prepare healthy and delicious meals or simply the monotony of everyday cooking, the kitchen can quickly become a source of frustration. But it doesn’t have to be that way. By making a few simple changes, we can transform our time in the kitchen into a blissful and enjoyable experience.
These are my favourite five tips for making time in the kitchen a more pleasurable and fulfilling part of my day. I hope these tips will come in handy for you too!
Tip 1. Streamline the Kitchen
Have you ever found yourself digging through a cluttered cabinet to find a particular spice or utensil, or struggling to make space on a crowded counter while prepping ingredients? Yeah, me too!
But I have found (surprise!) that streamlining my space makes my meal prep more efficient.
First, I got rid of all items that I didn’t use anymore or that were past their prime. For example, at one point I owned too many cutting boards. I have no idea where each of them came from (I actually know: I can’t resist a pretty cutting board!), but they slowly appeared in my kitchen and when they completely invaded it I decided that enough is enough. Who needs more than (ahem!) five cutting boards, right?!
Then, I grouped similar items together (such as all baking supplies or all dinnerware) and stored them in designated areas.
I also placed my most used tools and ingredients within easy reach. Spatulas, ladles and wooden spoons go in a giant beer mug (a real sight to behold) on the counter. The potato peeler, garlic press, elastics and other small items I use on a daily basis went in a drawer next to the stove. Spices, oils and vinegars are together on a shelf where the microwave used to be. The Lazy Susan stores rice, quinoa, pot lids and baking molds (a weird combination, but it works great for me). A tall cupboard with four shelves and a door has flours, sugars, vanilla extract, muesli, (and a healthy number of) cutting boards.The tea cupboard houses, you guessed it, all my varieties of tea because I love tea and have many flavours and please don’t tell me I need to buy less tea. 🙂
These small changes save me time and frustration when I’m in the middle of cooking a meal. So I am able to focus on the joy of cooking rather than on the hassle of finding ingredients and kitchen tools.
I also think that investing in some space-saving tools and gadgets, such as stackable containers or a magnetic knife holder, is money well spent and worth it in the long run because it simplifies the kitchen routine and saves some valuable space.
What about you, how do you organize your kitchen? What is your most helpful tip? Share it with us so we can add it to our arsenal.
Tip 2. Plan Ahead
If you find yourself stressed out and frazzled during mealtime, it may be time to start planning ahead. Meal planning and prepping ingredients in advance can save you time and energy and help you stay on track with your health and nutrition goals.
I resisted meal planning for a long time. Until one day when I finally did it and then immediately regretted not doing it earlier. If you need help with meal planning, check out this guide that has 9 easy steps that will help you meal plan like a pro.
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Start by creating a meal plan for the week ahead. Consider your schedule and plan meals that are easy to prepare on busy nights and plan more elaborate meals (if you enjoy making them) for days when you have more time. Look for recipes that can easily be doubled (or tripled) and reheated later in the week or that can be repurposed into new meals (such as using leftover roasted vegetables in a salad or roast chicken in chicken wraps – I LOVE chicken wraps!).
Once you have a meal plan in place, create a grocery list to ensure you have all the ingredients on hand. This will not only save you time and money by avoiding last-minute trips to the grocery store, but it will also help you stick to your meal plan and avoid the temptation to order takeout or eat processed snacks.
To make your job even easier during the following week, take some time at the end of each week to prep ingredients in advance. This could include chopping vegetables, marinating meat or cooking a big batch of grains.
Is prepping in advance something that you try to do as often as you can?
Tip 3. Create a Pleasant Atmosphere
Cooking doesn’t just involve the physical act of preparing food. It’s also a chance to create a relaxing atmosphere in the kitchen, which in turn will transform any meal prep session into a more enjoyable and, dare I say, even meditative experience.
Consider listening to music while you cook. Choose a playlist that matches the mood you want to create – maybe something upbeat and energetic for a weekend brunch or soft and soothing for a weeknight dinner. You might even consider bringing a wireless speaker into the kitchen and controlling it with your phone. I created a playlist in my Spotify account with bouncy songs that I like to listen to while I cook (Christmas songs included, even in summer).
Another way to create a peaceful atmosphere is by using candles or diffusing essential oils like lavender or chamomile. Just make sure to keep any open flames away from flammable materials and never leave candles unattended.
And finally, you can add a touch of nature to your space. Whether it’s a small vase of wildflowers on the windowsill or a potted herb on the counter, adding a bit of greenery to your kitchen can help create a more organic and welcoming environment.
I love listening not only to music, but also to podcasts while I cook. Sometimes I call a friend to catch up. It makes the time pass so much faster! My favourite podcasts are Marie Forleo’s podcast and Lewis Howes podcast.
Do you have any favourite podcasts you listen to while cooking?
Tip 4. Involve Others
Cooking doesn’t have to be a solitary activity. In fact, involving family and friends in the process can make it even more fun and rewarding. Think of all the long-lasting memories you can make around the kitchen table!
If you have kids, consider getting them involved in cooking. Not only will they learn important skills and develop a love for cooking, but it can also be a great bonding experience. Start by choosing simple recipes and tasks that they can easily handle and gradually increase the complexity as they become more confident in the kitchen. And yes, embracing the chaos is part of the process.
Another option is to cook with your partner or spouse. Not only can this be a romantic and intimate experience, but it can also be a great way to share the workload and learn from each other’s cooking styles.
Consider hosting a potluck (potlucks are my favourite!) with friends or family. This not only takes some of the pressure off of you as the host, but also allows everyone to showcase their own culinary talents and try new dishes. You might even consider making it a regular event, rotating the host and theme each time.
Tip 5. Embrace Creativity
Cooking can be a truly creative and expressive activity. Don’t be afraid to try new recipes, ingredients and cooking techniques to challenge yourself and explore new possibilities in the kitchen.
Start by experimenting with new flavors and cuisines. Try a recipe that features an ingredient you’ve never used before or only a handful of times (like I did here with artichokes) or challenge yourself to cook a cuisine you’re not familiar with (this year I am trying a few Japanese recipes).
You might even consider taking a cooking class or workshop to learn new skills and techniques. A few years ago I took a cooking class with my son that we both loved. We spent quality time together and he made a lot of delicious dishes while learning more cooking techniques. Win-win-win!
Another way to embrace creativity is by playing with different cooking methods. If you’re used to cooking on the stovetop, consider trying out the grill (which I still have to master) or the oven (which is one of my favourites, as I can just forget about the dish – not really forget, but you get what I mean).
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes or take risks – after all, that’s how many of the greatest culinary creations (and inedible dishes) were born. I had made my fair share of cooking disasters – forgotten and burned pot on the stove, overflowing moussaka in the oven, uncooked and flat muffins – which I can now laugh about (although I was quite traumatized at the time they happened).
Which one of these tips did you find most useful?
Don’t forget: the kitchen should be a space where you connect with yourself and your loved ones, where you express your creativity and nourish your body and soul. Have fun and don’t forget to tag us in your culinary creations on Instagram and Facebook.
