Meal Prep
Kitchen Know-How
Everything around the cooking: what the tools are and how to care for them, seasoning cast iron, keeping the kitchen clean, food safety at home, and how children can help at every age. Each page lists its sources.
What are you looking for?
- What is this tool, and how do I clean it?What’s in the kitchenA picture guide to knives, boards, pans, utensils, measuring tools, appliances, bakeware, thermometers and containers, with a matching game for kids.
- How do I season cast iron?Cast iron and cookware careSeasoning from scratch, myths and facts, rusty pans, and care for carbon steel, stainless, nonstick, enamel, wood and knives.
- How should I clean the kitchen?Keeping the kitchen cleanDaily, weekly and monthly routines; cleaning vs. sanitizing; bleach used safely; the fridge, oven, sink and more.
- Is this still safe to eat?Kitchen food safetyFridge and freezer temperatures, the 2-hour rule, safe thawing, how long leftovers keep, and using a thermometer.
- What can my child do in the kitchen?Kids in the kitchen, by ageJobs, words, tools, first recipes, measuring practice, knife skills and table setting for ages 3 to 13 and up.
- How many tablespoons in a cup? What can I use instead?Kitchen know-howMeasurements, substitutions, reading recipes, pantry staples, a first kitchen on a budget, freezer tips, knife cuts and cooking words.
- Something to hang on the fridge?PrintablesA cleaning schedule, a cast iron care card, kids’ kitchen jobs by age, and a measurements card.
Quick answers
- Fridge at 40°F or below, freezer at 0°F or below. More
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and eat them within 3 to 4 days. How long food keeps
- A little dish soap is fine on seasoned cast iron. Dry it right away and wipe on a thin coat of oil. Cast iron care
- Never mix bleach with ammonia, vinegar or any other cleaner. Using bleach safely
- 3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon; 16 tablespoons = 1 cup. Measurements
Safe cooking temperatures are in Food Safety Basics, and more guides are in Kitchen guides.