Mise En Place

Celebrity Chef Anthony Bourdain has often referred to mise en place as his "religion". Culinary Schools teach this skill as part of their curriculum foundation. I'm not sure why it took me so long to learn this secret. I used to be a tornado in the kitchen - a true epicurean disaster - until I became familiar with the art form of mise en place (pronounced "MEEZ ahn plahs"). This French culinary term literally means, "everything in place". It is all about prepping yourself before you begin cooking your meal. All ingredients are washed, chopped, shredded, peeled, measured, etc, and arranged in advance. It seems so simple yet without this practice my kitchen turns into a whirlwind of spilled ingredients both on counter tops and floors. Cooking has become so much more of a theraputic experience for me since I acquired this skill and so here I am... passing my zen secret onto you.

Photo Credit: Design Sponge