Mise en Place: The Secret Ingredient to Stress-Free Family Meals

In the kitchen – and in life – preparation is everything ifyou have limited time. Or as the French say, mise en place, which means “putin place.”

I’m not writing about cutting onions the evening before or meal prepping three meals on a Sunday night until 11 p.m.

It’s about setting the stage for success – mentally emotionally and practically – before you start cooking.

Looking back at my cooking school days it was all about miseen place. I had a very strict chef who didn’t believe in opening cook books the moment you were supposed to cook a three-course menu.

He taught me what saves me today in my kitchen.

(And yes that preparation meant: two days before the actualcooking class we were expected to come during our school break to discuss whatwe were cooking how we would prepare and organize time and how we would presentthe dish.)

Bringing intention into your meal prep can be a game changer because let’s face it – dinner time can feel overwhelming. Try managing a cranky toddler, planning and cooking a meal at the same time – mission impossible, been there done that - no thank you.

Here’s how to set yourself up for a smoother more enjoyable dinner – even if there are some tomatoes on the floor.

1. Set Your Intention

In the morning or sometime during the day pause take abreath and ask yourself:

• How am I feeling today?
• How much time do I really have to cook?
• What do I expect from tonight's meal? Comfort, ease, adventure or leftover?

This isn’t about aiming for perfection. It’s about checking in with yourself. Maybe tonight’s a soup and pasta kind of night. Maybe it’s the right time to try something new. Whatever it is letting your mood and energy guide you makes the whole experience more grounded – and realistic.

2. Get Recipe-Ready

Once you know what you’re aiming for it’s time to prep your plan.

Pick your recipe (or rough idea of one) then check:

• Do I have all the ingredients?
• If not what can I swap in? (No pumpkin? Try sweet potato.)
• Can I prep anything ahead while the kids nap or after breakfast?

This is where a little flexibility comes in. Knowing your back-up plan before you start cooking means fewer meltdowns – yours or your kid’s.

3. Be Confident: You’ve Got This

Whether you're reheating leftovers or experimenting with a new lentil curry, trust that you’re doing a great job.

4. Lower your expectation

Nourishing your family doesn’t require Michelin stars. Cooking isn’t a test. It’s an act of care. And your kids don’t need perfect – they need you present and not totally stressed out.

5. Plan for Your Little Sous-Chef

Can your child help tear lettuce wash mushrooms or stirsomething (safely)? Including them can be a fun sensory-rich experience and may even make them more curious about the food.

And some nights they can’t help, either because you dont have the patience or because no step in the recipe is ideal for a 3 year old. Set up a mini station nearby with playdough, coloring or dry pasta and bowls for “cooking.” Even 10–15 minutes of occupied play can give you the window you need to get dinner on the table without total chaos.

My final thought:

The goal isn’t a perfect meal – it’s a connected one. Whether it’s quiet or chaotic dinner is a chance to nourish more than just the family’s stomach.

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