How to Do Mise en Place
Mise en place (MEP) literally means 'put in place' in French.This term is used in professional cooking and refers to preparing all the ingredients so that they are ready to be used. It can be used in the field of cooking, baking, but also in chores and cleaning, etc. Its use originates in the field of gastronomy and has been used since ancient times. It is still used today, although it has a broader meaning. Take a look at how to do Mise en place and go all pro-chef!
Mise en place containers
Regardless of the field for which it is used, Mise en place is the essential prep for any task. Depending on what you're doing the mise en place for, you'll choose fancier containers than others. Make sure you know what type of event you're creating it for and what ingredient will go in each one, making sure the amount of food will fit in and it will be perfectly visible for the consumer.
Prep the ingredients & utensils
Mise en place refers to having everything prepared before starting a task, both the utensils as well as the food. For example, if you're going to bake a cake, the MEP should have all the necessary ingredients laid out, all weighed or chopped , organised in individual containers so that they can be added to the mixing bowl without any hassle.
The utensils needed for the cooking should also be laid out, e.g. the whisk, the cake tin, etc. If you're cooking a paella, MEP preparation will include washing the fish, chopping the ingredients, weight the quantity of rice needed, etc.
The layout
There are several ways you can lay out your mise en place, this will also depend on what you are using it for. If you're doing it for a recipe, you can place them in the order you're going to use them, or create a beautiful collage of shapes and colors that will look eye-catching. The art of mise en place usually means it's pleasant to the eye, so symmetry will be very helpful when you choose how to place everything.
To use Mise en place for chores or events, it would mean that everything is in place before the guests arrive: from the coffee; the spoons; cleaning all cups and glasses; preparing the cocktail ingredients; ironing tablecloths; preparing the bins, etc.
Uses of mise en place
When applied to the home, the MEP could consist of preparing dishes, laying the table and bringing out the coffee set.
A good Mise en place enables us to tackle unexpected situations, delays... This will provide us with security and efficiency in the service we provide, ensure we are punctual and gives way to a more relaxed and stress-free environment.
Aside from preparing and getting all the ingredients ready, the concept Mise en place is also applied to mental organisation, ensuring that we are always one step ahead when we carry out any particular task.
If you want to read similar articles to How to Do Mise en Place, we recommend you visit our Culture & Society category.
Tips
- Although the term is associated with professional kitchens in restaurants, using them in day-to-day life is extremely useful, especially for dinners or when you are hosting guests. It will calm your nerves and you'll see a remarkable difference in how much more smoothly proceedings go.
- For an effective Mise en place, you should plan what you're going to cook and take into account the number of guests that are attending.
