MODULE 2. Minimizing Clean Up

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Module 2. Video

Module 2. Audio

CLICK HERE to download the audio file as an mp3. (You may need to ‘right click’ and ‘save link as’).

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7 Golden Rules of a Speedy Cleanup

NOTE: The written content below is the same as that contained in the audio and video versions. This training will be included in the class ebook at the end of the program so you’ll be able to download everything in the one file.

As much as I LOVE cooking, I really can’t stand the whole cleanup process. I’m not kidding, I really don’t enjoy it.

My dishwasher is my most valued piece of kitchen equipment. More than my chefs knife!

So much so that a few weeks ago when my dishwasher kept giving me error messages and I really thought my life was over.

There were tears. It wasn’t pretty.

Thankfully, the next morning I figured out how to clean the filter and the crisis was averted.

But I’m still always thinking about ways to make cleaning up as speedy and painless as possible.

Here are my ‘golden rules’…

1. Use less equipment.

If you ignore all the other rules and just focus on this one, you’ll be well ahead in the cleanup game. The more complicated your meal, the more pots you’re likely to generate. Another reason I love simplicity!

But there are plenty of tasty meals out there that only need one pot or pan or bowl. And to help you out, the recipes for this module are strictly one pot (or one bowl) affairs. So follow them and you can consider this rule ‘ticked’.

2. Use less ingredients.

The more ingredients you get out of the pantry and fridge, generally the more bottles and jars than need ‘putting away’ at the end of the meal. Makes sense right?

So you know you’re in good hands with my ‘5 ingredients’ focus.

3. Prevent mess where possible.

Prevention is better than a cure for diseases right? Same goes for cleaning up.

My favourite examples:

Use the BBQ to cook outside.

Pop it in the oven instead of cooking on the stove top.

Line the grill with foil.

Line baking trays with baking paper or foil.

4. Confine your cooking space.

If you have a tiny kitchen, it can be a blessing as there’s only so much space you can mess up! Now that I have a fairley big kitchen I’ve found if I let myself I can end up with mess covering every surface.

So these days I try and confine the space I use to one (smallish) area. Makes a huge difference come cleanup time!

5. Reuse.

Instead of reaching for a clean bowl, spoon, pot whatever, get in the habit of first checking what you already have in use. A quick rinse and you’re good to go.

6. ‘Stack’ as you go.

If possible, leave your dishwasher open while you cook. As you finish with items, pop them straight in the ‘dish’ instead of staking them in the sink. This saves so much double handling.

Unfortunately if you have a toddler in the house like I do, an open dishwasher is just an invitation to unstack and distribute dirty dishes all over the house. A lesson I’ve learned the hard way!

7. Don’t delay!

The longer dirty pots and plates are sitting out, the crustier and more difficult to clean they get. And if you live in Sydney, the more likely they’ll attract cockroaches. Ick!

And if you’re having a dinner party, dirty dishes are 10x more disgusting the next morning when you have a hangover. I’ve learned the hard way to stay up and get the kitchen clean before going to bed.

Unfortunately my Irishman doesn’t agree… he’s more of the Homer Simpson school of thought… ‘don’t do today what you can put off until tomorrow!’

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2 Easy Ways to Make Cleanup Fun.

I know what you’re thinking… Cleanup fun? Sure Jules…

Honestly, even though I really hate cleaning up, I’ve come to appreciate this time of day.

Like most things in life, the level of pain or enjoyment has more to do with your mindset and approach than it does with the actual task at hand…

1. Turn cleanup time into ‘me time’.

As soon as dinner is over, Fergal and his dad head off for bath time which means 15-20 minutes of peace for me!

Most nights I grab my phone and headphones and turn on my current audiobook or a favourite podcast. Then set about cleaning up while I listen to something interesting. I’ve come to really love this time. So much so that I often find myself wiping down things that don’t strictly need attention.

2. Turn cleanup time into ‘we time’.

Many Hands make light work, and there’s nowhere where this is more true than in the kitchen! Sometimes you’ll need to direct the hands, like when you have children or guests.

But it’s a great time to ‘catch up’ with whoever is helping you…Whenever we have guests (not that often these days) one of my favourite parts of the evening was ‘disecting’ the conversation with my Irishman while we cleaned up. Always lots of laughs!

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Why ‘clean as you go’ isn’t always the best approach.

OK so as we’ve covered in the ‘golden rules’ normally I am a fan of ‘cleaning as you go’.

BUT!

There are times when it’s not the best approach.

Like when you…

1. Are super tired or stressed.

If you’re struggling to find the energy to cook, you don’t need the extra pressure to be on top of the cleaning as well. Leave it and focus on getting the food cooked. You don’t want to accidentally burn dinner and create even more mess.

2. Need to focus.

If you’re trying something new. Or are just struggling to concentrate (hello pregnant ladies!). As above, it’s best to concentrate on getting things done properly and avoid mishaps and extra cleaning later.

3. Have a clingy toddler.

I know. Sometimes wouldn’t it be lovely to have an extra pair of hands to hold the baby and stir the pot? You definiely don’t need the extra pressure to clean as you go. So let yourself off the hook and save it for later.

4. Have a cleaning fairy.

We’ve all wished for one. But if you are lucky enough to have someone who loves to clean. I know, weird but they do exist. So leave it to the expert who is probably going to do a much better job than you anyway…

5. Are entertaining.

Cooking for company can be a tough gig. Make life easy for yourself and focus on your guests and food. The cleanup can wait. You don’t want to spend the evening tied to the sink and missing out on all the laughs (or juicy gossip!).

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11 Kitchen Time Savers.

Some of these are built in to the recipes in the program. Others we’ve touched on already, but I thought it would be helpful to have a list of my favourite time savers in the one place…

1. Pop everything in the oven.

One of my favourite type of meals. They can take an hour or more but it’s mostly not active time.

Just pop everything in the oven. Set your timer and do other things while dinner cooks itself. Love it! Look out for the recipes in Module 3 for plenty of tasty 5-ingredient examples.

2. One pot wonders.

As we’ve covered one of the best tricks for mimimizing cleanup is to use less dishes to begin with. Which is why I love meals that can be made in one pot. See the recipes below!

3. Use direct heat cooking techniques.

The best way to get food cooked quickly is to use a high, direct heat. Think things like pan frying, stir frying and BBQing.

Most of the recipes in module 1 follow this tip and all the ‘flash in the pan’ recipes in Module 4 do.

4. Recipes with few ingredients.

You know I have a ‘thing’ for 5 ingredients. Generally the less ingredients you use the less time it takes to get them out, prep them and put any leftovers away. No brainer if you’re short on time…

5. Cook with Gas or Induction.

I do love the instant heat of gas, however our new house has an induction stove top. And while my one is slightly slower to heat up, I love that it’s super easy to clean. So when we do rennonovate our kitchen, I’ll be sticking with induction.

If your kitchen only has electric, you might like to think about investing in a portable gas burner, especially if you like cooking with a wok.

6. Use a fan forced oven (if you have one)

My country kitchen is blessed with a fan forced oven and cooks things significantly more rapidly than my sad old oven in Sydney.

7. Make technology your friend.

Food processors can grate, slice or puree things in a fraction of the time it would take using an old grater or a mortar and pestle. I love mine for making cauliflower ‘rice’ or ‘couscous’.

We’ll be going much deeper on kitchen equipment in the next module.

8. Reuse equipment as you go.

As mentioned in the ‘golden rules’, rinsing that bowl or spoon in front of you rather than reaching to the cupboard for a clean one definitely saves on cleaning up time.

9. Focus.

One of my biggest time wasters is when I try and do something else while I’m cooking. Not only do I end up not getting either task done particularly well, I often burn something and have to start again. Much better to be in the moment and get it done right the first time.

10. Ask for help.

If you have access to one, employ a kitchen slave. Not only do many hands make light work – it’s also an opportunity to relax and catch up with your loved ones.

11. Practice.

Like pretty much all activities practice makes perfect and much quicker. The more often you cook, the speedier you’ll become. Especially when it comes to things like knife skills.

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What Next?

It’s ‘homework’ time!

Just leave a comments on the SVCS website sharing how you’re finding the program.

I read and respond to ALL the comments. I really want to hear from YOU!

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Module 2. Recipes
ONE POT / ONE BOWL WONDERS

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[one_half]

Mushroom Scrambled Eggs

Pea & Hummus Soup

Fast Roast Fish with Broccoli

Chicken Satay Curry

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[one_half_last]

Sausages, Peas & Parmesan

Chorizo & Spinach

Quick Beef Ragu

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