My kitchen rules

While washing the dishes in my sink, I realized that I have rules of my kitchen. It seems pretty silly, but there are things that make me and my life more comfortable, especially when cooking with/for others.

I also reserve the right to add to this list at any time (or when I'm cooking and think of another one I may have forgotten).

1. The cook may not clean.

This is big for me. The biggest thing I miss about having a boyfriend to cook for is that I had a dishwasher always, and now I don't have anyone to wash my dishes. I hate doing dishes, so it seems pretty appropriate that I cook. But a delicious meal made with a lot of effort is always dampened when realizing that cooking for myself I have to also clean up.

2. There must always be music playing that I can jam to.

Whether this is just good music that I enjoy, or music that I feel like I can dance to, it must be on. It relaxes the mood a lot in the kitchen (especially when cooking for/with others) and breaks up the silence. If the TV is on, which some people like to do, I feel the need to watch it and then potentially burn or ruin my dish somehow. Music is engrained so much in my life to begin with it only makes sense that I get to listen to music while I cook. I usually dance too.

3. Wine is a necessity.

One of the best parts of cooking is drinking wine. Over Christmas I baked a lot of cookies for my friends and family. The long nights of baking went by much faster with some wine. I love seeing what wines go with what sort of foods, and I think it is another mood calmer. It makes me relax just enough to not feel "on the spot" when I'm cooking in front of others. Since this is new for me, it's a little nerve wracking, especially cause I'm cooking a lot of new recipes and I don't know if they'll turn out or not.

4. I must always wear my apron.

Best decision ever to buy myself an apron. I love this thing. I wear it when I cook so I don't get food on my clothes and, let's be honest, I look super cute in it. I feel better about my cooking wearing the apron. Although it is a mental thing, whatever helps. I also wear my apron to do dishes. I have an incredibly small sink and before the apron I was always getting dish soap all over myself.

5. The packing away food and clean up process happens either during cooking or after the food is enjoyed.

I have met people who let food sit and get cold while the clean the pan, pot, etc. Absolutely a no no in my book. I refuse to let my food do anything other than be delicious in my mouth and belly. I will not let it get cold to wash a dish. Pfft. That waits until later.


These are my kitchen rules as of now, off the top of my head. I hope I have enlightened you to different and fun ways to cook, but also, I'd love to hear your kitchen rules! Anything you think I should implement in my kitchen?