My mentioning of cookery shows lately correctly suggests that I
( have watched many over the years. ) When they demonstrate how to make the foods I try to notice the sequencing, often more explicitly a topic for shows aimed at those who are squeezing cookery in around real life.
A couple of days ago when making the evening meal for myself and my children I was intending that we eat together so timing mattered. I noticed that
( habitually ) I do all the preparation I possibly can before moving on to heating food or whatever it is that starts the clock on the meal.
To the extent possible, I find and lay out pans, implements, measured ingredients, napkins, etc. on the counter, I may place some convenient side dish in the microwave already, so that when I start frying or whatever other act defines the serving time, just about everything afterward is adding, mixing, heating. That way, as much of my cooking time as possible is relaxed and reflective, the minimum amount of it being the hurried, clock-watching last phase. Our kitchen is small but even if that means the food has to come out sequentially at least the time difference is minimized.
Perhaps the critical path analysis folks have a term for that strategy. Just as I want that
keep out of the kitchen, don't interrupt me
phase to be brief, I imagine that
( in some kinds of job such planning matters greatly. )![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
