Topic started by Kamakshi Subbiah (@ 195.229.241.228) on Tue Nov 25 15:19:01 EST 2003.
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

Hello friends,
I need some help on how to keep the kitchen tidy AT ALL TIMES. By the time I finish cooking a meal, the sink is full of vessels to be washed. Once that's done, the next lot of dishes (after the meal) is ready to be washed & my sink seems always full! I'm stuck in the kitchen for most of the day & still can't get everything done. A couple of my friends too are struggling to manage their time between cooking & cleaning. We have also been to some homes where the kitchen is very very neat--- in spite of the lady being in the midst of her cooking!!
I am really desperate to improve my efficiency in the kitchen . Hope you can give some useful tips & helpful advice on how to maintain order & neatness. Please help with your suggestions.
Thanks,
Kamakshi.

Responses:

• From: Rakhi (@ grouper-216.netexpress.net) on: Wed Nov 26 11:39:18 EST 2003
  
  dear Kamakshi,
  well,I too used to face this probl. sometime back.if u have dishwasher,load the plates as soon as their use is over in it.by the end of day,it will be full and u can switch it on.I make use of the time when I am waiting for somthing to boil,cook etc to clear the plates.another tip is that to finish washing daily and after each meal or cooking session.This is what I do.each minute u spend in the kitchen,do not stand ther idly.use it.I finish all my cooking and tidying in 2hrs--for the whole day!
  
  Get up a little early and get into the kitchen.You will be surprised as to how much time u can gain by this.keep out everything from freezer that needs to be thawed,cut veg.s,wash and drain daals,grate coconut etc can be done now.once everything has been added to curry and it is on stove top,u can use that time for cleaning up.However late I am,I always finish up washing plates and cleanig kithcen bfore going to sleep.otherwise the next day there will be lots to do.
  also look at the link time management in kitchen in forum hub I started sometime ago.
  http://www.forumhub.com/southfood/26637.00.02.16.html
  
  
• From: Kavi (@ 213.78.90.248) on: Thu Nov 27 04:48:51 EST 2003
  
  Hi kamakshi,
  
  Some tips from me...
  
  Decide early what are you going to for the next meal.
  
  next day do all the primay work before you start cooking...eg. will chopping veg soak tamarind, cook dal etc.
  
  When you start cooking, wash the used vessels then and there...do not wait for the sink to fill up..
  
  Soak the vessels with water so that they dont dry up.
  
  keep a cloth around to clean up the kitchen table top, incase you spill anything (even if its water)...
  
  keep the spices etc back to its place once its use is over...try not to fill up your cooking space while you are cooking.
  
  hope this wil help u...have a good day.
  
  
• From: R (@ bgp530824bgs.ebrnsw01.nj.comcast.net) on: Thu Nov 27 07:33:24 EST 2003
  
  Any of you guys, can suggest on how to do or what is the solution if there is a baby at home?
  
  Sometimes, you know, I do all the work by keeping her with me, so, if there is any short cut to do cooking as well as household cleaning(single family home), since I definitely want to concentrate on my son's studies etc.
  
  Any solution, pls..
  
  Thanks in advance
  
  
• From: anitam (@ pcp04420474pcs.nrockv01.md.comcast.net) on: Mon Dec 1 15:16:15 EST 2003
  
  Hai kamakshi,
  
  Some tips from me..
  
  1. Clean the vessels before u go to bed.
  2. Use less vessels for cooking.
  3. Clean the kitchen floors and shelves once in a week.
  4. keep the grocery storage units in their places immediatley after use.
  5. Plan u r meals earlier.
  6. Above all see ur kitchen as a beautiful place for cooking.
  
  
  
• From: anitam (@ pcp04420474pcs.nrockv01.md.comcast.net) on: Mon Dec 1 15:20:50 EST 2003
  
  Hai R,
  
  Here are some tips for u,
  
  1. Plan ur meals earlier..
  2. cook a curry which can be used for lunch and dinner.
  3. Cook rice, dal and vegetables together in the pressure cooker.
  4. Clean the vessels immediatly after cooking and before going to bed.
  5. Allocate days to clean the kitchen, bathroom , vaccuming, etc..
  6. One per day will keep ur home clean and filled with love. You too can spend time with ur kids.
  
  
  
• From: Abu Baba Bill (@ 63-64-11-169.evv.dialup.sigecom.net) on: Tue Dec 2 09:06:18 EST 2003
  
  Tips for TIdy Kitchen:
  1) Decide what you would like to serve for the meal.
  2) Consult a local restaurant guide, or a friend who shares your taste in food, and find a shop that delivers or is handy for carry-out.
  3) Order what you would like for the meal, and while you are awaiting its preparation and delivery, set out styrofoam plates, paper plates, plastic flatware, etc. for serving and eating the food.
  4) After enjoying the meal, clean up the dining area and dispose of the used paper, plastic, and styrofoam dinnerware, and the packaging in which the prepared food was delivered.
  5) Sit around the entertainment area of your home, belch loudly, and talk sociably about whatever interests you ... such as where would be the next carry-out or delivery restaurant from which you will enjoy a handy, deliciously prepared meal!
  
  
• From: kz (@ host-24-225-152-158.patmedia.net) on: Thu Dec 4 12:14:47 EST 2003
  
  Hi,
  Wanted to know how to store rice and chappathi flour, as there are small black colored insects in rice and white worms in chappathi flour and rava, i store rava in the fridge but what to do for chappathi flour and rice? i couldn't find any air tight boxes which can hold 20 lb of rice.Please help with your suggestions!
  Thankyou.
  
  
• From: The home bound (@ adsl-68-79-207-20.dsl.emhril.ameritech.net) on: Tue Dec 9 16:24:52 EST 2003
  
  An easier solution would be to add few dried red chillies to rice and it will keep away the insects from coming in whatever rice container you put it in. I do not transfer the contents from the gunnybag in which we bring rice, cos I feel it keeps it safe than other forms of storage. Also, I use the sliding drawers for all the lentils and spices in their original packs to pile on. It makes it easier for me to make out what the ingredient os when i see its tag, and also I do not have to clutter my cuboards with identically looking storage containers, saving space and confusion. Seriously, It helps a lot, avoiding the insects in my materials and keeping them sorted. Plastic covers in which they are stored usually keep the contents free of insects for a long time.
  
  
  
• From: Kz (@ host-24-225-152-158.patmedia.net) on: Wed Dec 10 11:12:13 EST 2003
  
  I tried putting few dried red chillies in the rice bag as soon as i opened it but still there are insects.
  Kz
  
  
• From: fridge (@ netcache6.is.co.za) on: Wed Dec 17 06:59:53 EST 2003
  
  Abbu Baba Bill, Ha ha.. Good advise,
  
  K.Z
  My friend Uses Bay leaves in flour to prevent the insects/weavels in it.
  
  Kitchen tidiness....funny I was giving my niece some of these instructions this past weekend.
  1. When cooking, give yourself sufficient time, Rushing causes spills and stuff ends up flying all over the cupboards.
  2. When frying stuff use a anti-splatter, it looks Like a lid but lets the steam pass through...avoids all the oil splatters on the walls and build up of fat.
  3. When cleaning veggies, potatoes etc, place a piece of paper down first to collect the peels etc and just fold up the paper and throw away, This makes the counter tops easier to wipe off.
  4. always keep a wet towel and dry towl close bye, wiping your hands constantly avoids tranferring greese onto the lids of containers...
  5. If you do not have a dishwasher keep your sinks with cleaning water and drop the dishes in emediately after using. makes it easier to wash away....
  6. Play some of your favourite music whilst cooking and cleaning sing along, when you look again the sink is clean.
  
  Please help with my Request
  I am going to be a housewife next year without any maid for ironing, This dreadfull job as driven me to tears and made me feel like a failure. I iron and iron and the creases do not go away...The iron was working on and it takes me a long time to get the creases out of one shirt....Help help.
  
  
• From: Rakhi (@ grouper-96.netexpress.net) on: Fri Dec 19 01:05:24 EST 2003
  
  Dear fridge??!!
  if ur shirts consist of cotton,then mayb it needs a little starch.If u r in USA,then u can buy starch from walmart or something...just spray it on shirt and let dry..then iron.otherwise u can make starch at home.boil some water with 2 tsp maida.stir well.when it bcomes quite hot(need not boil),strain it to remove lumps and cool it.now dip washed shirts/clothes in it.hung to dry.it will be crisp.if u need more starch,add more maida.
  u can also use leftover water after cooking rice.
  but it has an odd smell sometimes.
  as for ironing,just put on some music,or as I do,open the windows in room and iron facing them,as u watch snowfall,rain or bright sunshine.
  
  Happy Married Life!
  
  
• From: Su (@ host98.subnet69.battelle.org) on: Fri Dec 19 08:43:16 EST 2003
  
  Don't let your shirts dry fully in the dryer. Take it our when they are still a little damp and than iron. When u do this, ironing is a piece of cake. Happy ironing
  
  
• From: fridge (@ netcache6.is.co.za) on: Tue Dec 23 06:09:21 EST 2003
  
  Rahki and Su
  Thanks for the advise. and the well wishes.
  
  I always thought that the starch was for hardening things like table cloths etc, is it alright for clothing as well? Will the collar not cause iritation?
  
  
  
  
  
• From: Rakhi (@ grouper-220.netexpress.net) on: Tue Dec 23 10:57:41 EST 2003
  
  I don't know which other types of starches are there,but I was telling abt the one we use for cotton shirts,saris,churidhars etc.but if not done properly,your dress may get spoilt with patches of white liquid,but again there is solution u can wash it nicely and it will go.also,find out more abt this starch from ur family and friends.they will have more other methods of making home made starch.I used to iron while shirts were damp,but once the cotton shirts lose all starch in it,even this will not work.if u are too doubtful,u cud give them to a good drycleaner,those shirts which have this problem.all the best!
  
  
• From: ashley (@ c-24-4-98-236.client.comcast.net) on: Tue Dec 23 17:16:49 EST 2003
  
  Kamakshi,
  1. If you have a freezer avilable to you, pressure cook large quantities of Dal, Channa, Rajma and divide them into portions for one or 2 meal sizes for your family and freeze them. You can save tons of time, reduced cleanup and still end up with a good meal this way.
  2. Also make one or two nights a week a One-dish-meal night. I make kichdi, Adai, pongal, burgers etc. I serve it with a simple salad or raita and the kitchen is a lot cleaner and my family gets a good meal too. You may also try to bake a casserole. That way, your stove top can be cleaned while you are cooking.
  3. Have a leftover meal night. Consolidate leftovers for a few days and make a meal of them. Don't need to mess up the kitchen by cooking.
  4. Use disposable plates, cups, silverware. (i personally am against it as it pollutes the environment and kills forests) , but each man to his own.
  5. Try to recruit the man in the family to clean up after a meal. It is only fair division of labor. I know it is not easily done in many South Indian households due to various reasons :) (including in mine!)But keep trying.
  6. Make lunch and dinner in the same session.
  7. While cooking a meal, try to reuse the same pans by rinsing them after you finish a task.
  My kitchen orderliness and cleanlines is still a work in progress. Hope this helps you.
  
  
• From: shankar (@ wks2.hiwaay.net) on: Fri Dec 26 13:59:30 EST 2003
  
  If all these advice fail....
  Just eat out. Don't cook.
  
  
• From: s (@ 61.11.78.144) on: Fri Jan 2 13:08:21 EST 2004
  
  Hi,
  
  You can visit the new website on CHEMBAI at http://www.chembai.com
  
  
• From: S (@ host4.brodsoft.com) on: Thu Jan 8 16:53:01 EST 2004
  
  You could cut up veggies and freeze them in zip locks.. Its really helps. I do it on weekends and on weekdays I just throw one bag of veggie in the pan
  
  
• From: archana (@ host-66-90-248-73.rev.o1.com) on: Fri Jan 9 01:14:01 EST 2004
  
  I purchased some dals from Indian stores here they are slowly having black insects what to do?? does keeping red chilli in them works?
  
  
• From: jalpa (@ cablenet-49-78-109-203.worldgatein.com) on: Sat Jan 17 06:02:49 EST 2004
  
  Hi,
  cut 2-3 days veretables in advance so that that will help u. and save your time. u can use when u want.
  
  
• From: jalpa (@ cablenet-49-78-109-203.worldgatein.com) on: Sat Jan 17 06:03:10 EST 2004
  
  Hi,
  cut 2-3 days vegetables in advance so that that will help u. and save your time. u can use when u want.
  
  
• From: jalpa (@ cablenet-49-78-109-203.worldgatein.com) on: Sat Jan 17 06:03:28 EST 2004
  
  Hi,
  cut 2-3 days vegetables in advance so that will help u. and save your time. u can use when u want.
  
  

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