Patch Blog: First Understand 'Mis En Place,' Then Get Cook'n'!

Mis en place, or “everything in its’ place,” is a phrase that we learned in our first day at Le Cordon Bleu.  Without mis en place, life is hectic, unorganized, scattered and just plain caotic!  I am sure we can all relate to a time within our own kitchens, or lives for that matter, where we simply felt overwhelmed, unorganized, frazzled and just out of sorts. Mis en place is a phrase that is used to bring order back to the kitchen while keeping you calm, collected and anxiety free. 

Think of this scenario and understand just how mis en place could have resolved the situation.  You have friends coming over for brunch and feel as though having the recipes in hand is merely enough. Guests are a few minutes out so you scale all the ingredients for your muffins and frittata only to realize that your dear friend never returned the muffin tins you lent them and that you are fresh out of eggs. Oh, and it looks like the oven is not calibrating correctly. Your friends are on their way and there is no time to run to the store, how could this be!!!

With spending a few minutes the night before going through the recipes and ensuring that indeed you have all the required ingredients, there would be no panic as your doorbell is ringing and fragrant aromas are submerging from the kitchen.  Having “everything in its place” ensures that you have all the asked ingredients, tools, pots and pans, bowls, etc. before you even begin. It also walks you through the recipe raising questions along the way, “do I have a blender” “what does braise mean” “I should marinate this overnight, it cannot wait till tomorrow” “I need to get more xyz” “I better call my mom, dad, sister, brother, neighbor, etc. for help with this” etc. From here you can build a shopping list and begin prepping those items that can be prepped the day before. Anything to save time the day-of the event is key to a stress-free meal.

And with that, take inventory of your kitchen, re-organize your cabinets so they make sense (i.e. glasses by the sink, bowls by the cereal, plates, olive oil and spices by the stove (but not so close where the heat will temper with your products)), plan a feast, invite your friends over, go shopping and get cook’n!

For other great tips to stay cook’n at your best, check out cookingwithtiffany.com

Cheers!

Tiffany Lewis