See all videosMise en place: Prepping the Kitchen (0:29)
"Mise en place" means to put things in their place in French. In this video, Chef Meg of SparkRecipes.com shows us a simple way to organize your ingredients for a healthy meal.
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Member Comments About This Video
Ridiculous seems like the best word.... - 5/29/13
Love the idea of using a pill container instead, with the individual lids on each kid, so you can add each spice individually if needed. - 5/10/13
Nope, not a good idea at all. As several others have already pointed out...usually not all the spices,herbs etc are not added to the recipe at the same time; and even if they were I would find it more difficult & messy to try & pour them out of the ice tray into a bowl without spilling. - 4/13/13
Never thought of using an ice cube tray - thanks! - 4/1/13
i agree with most of the others re: the ice cube trays. i actually have THREE sets of plastic measuring spoons and cups, so i can quickly scoop up whatever i need without stopping to rinse anything off. i line those up ready to use with my actual spice bottles. - 2/11/13
It a good idea to have all ingredients ready when you need them. However, some spices aren't added at the same time. Using a (whole, uncut) ice-cube tray would make adding spices separately a bit difficult. I'd suggest cutting an old tray in sections of 2 or 4 cubes, for this purpose. - 1/15/13
So, how would you get those from tray if they are not all added at the same time? - 12/10/12
Chef Meg preps for her recipe videos using little bowls - that has always worked for me as well. - 12/7/12
I do this alot, this carried over from making baby food. I usually grind/blend my herbs and spices that I like together and place them in the trays. Once frozen they go into labelled ziploc bags and I take what I need for the recipe. I have several different types of blends. It is such a time saver. - 12/4/12
I have to agree with LGEORGEBL, I think putting the spices in an ice cube tray would make it difficult to add the ingredients to the dish if they are to be added as separate times. I use little monkey dishes. - 10/31/12
That is a great idea! I never thought of doing that before. - 10/12/12
great idea! - 9/3/12
I use the plate method mentioned above for my spices. I pre-measure and place them on different parts of a plate then I just nudge them off the side of the plate into the cooking pan as called for in the recipe. I guess you could use a small spoon to scoop the spices out of the ice cube tray. - 9/2/12
I find measuring spices and small amounts of ingredients onto wax paper easy and mess free. - 7/16/12
Nope, messing up an ice cube tray means one more thing to wash. Easier to line up my spice bottles. I DO keep 2 sets of measuring spoons and cups--one on either side of my kitchen--so one is always within easy reach, either at the sink/counter, or at the stove - 7/16/12
I think its more important to have other ingredients prepped, such as veggies, etc., instead of spices. My spices are very convenient and my measuring spoons are on the counter ready for action. Thank you for sharing though. - 4/22/12
A good idea' - 2/29/12
A better use for those ice-cube trays: I find these are ideal for storing my earrings. I use several inside my jewelry cabinet drawers. A perfect way to see small jewelry items at a glance! - 2/29/12
This would be a useful suggestion for some types of recipes, if a lot of small amounts of different spices and herbs were actually going into the batter or pan etc at one time, as this would help you see you have all 6 or 7 or 10 ingredients measured & ready. Don't think it's intended for storage. - 2/29/12
I prep the spices when I make curries as there are so many of them, but I put them in small coffee cups, grouping them as to when they go into the dish. Otherwise, I'm usually seasoning as I go rather than following a specific recipe. - 2/29/12
I don't think it is for me. I sometimes put them all together in one small dish if they go in at the same time, but other wise, I line them up and use them as needed. - 6/22/10
I may try this handy tip - 6/21/10
OK! - 6/20/10
my spice rack is right next to my stove, all alphabetized with the measuring spoons right there. - 6/20/10
common sense! - 6/20/10
It is a good idea but , I don't use ice cube trays. I have all my spices measured out in very small bowls - 6/20/10
While I don't use an icecube tray, I do get out my spices before starting and measure them out. The ones that are added together are put together into a small glass dish ... the dish holds no more than a couple tablespoons. That way I find I am better organized and I am less likely to make a mista - 6/20/10
I'm not sure how it's more helpful to do that than to just put out jars/bags of spices. Wouldn't this be messy?
I do use a pint glass for all my powdered supplements for my morning smoothie. That way, I add all at once while blending - nice & smooth & less electricity use, too. - 6/20/10
Poor idea as to freshness. I prefer my spices in their bottles on a turntable in a cabinet. Ice cube tray? Poor choice... - 6/20/10
It would be messy for me, unless you were going to dump all the spices in all at one time. I would like to see how she uses it. Being organized is a great idea! - 6/20/10
Let's see, harder to put them in one at a time, something else to clean, something else to store when not in use. All my spices are in drawers and alphabetized. Easy to find, easy to get to, easy to put away. - 6/20/10
Great idea! Thanks, Chef Meg. - 6/20/10
Sounds really good. Making after I go to grocery store. YUM - 6/20/10
I do something similiar by putting them into a little bowl if they all go in together.... - 6/20/10
No thanks. I keep my spices organised and cannot see any usefuk aspect to this suggestion Sorry. - 6/20/10
I'd rather use little dishes...you can just dump and mix. How do you get the spices out without making a mess and wasting a bunch? - 6/20/10
I would rather use something like a pill organizer (if one could be found that's large enough) that has a snap lid, so you can add each spice at the proper time. All you would have to do is label each slot as to what it is. - 6/20/10
Sorry, makes no sense to me. I read directions and put all seasonings that go in at the same time to one small prep dish, and add prep dishes for different addition times. And I agree with TRICIAN13. Alphabetizing is the only way to go. A bit anal I know but it works! - 6/20/10
not a good idea! How do you get the different spices out one at a time. - 6/20/10
I don't think this would work since I keep my spices on a turn table near cooking area!! Good idea for others maybe. - 6/20/10
Too messy for me! Depending on how the recipe goes together I sometimes measure certain ingredients into small bowls, other times straight from the spice container. I DO suggest that you arrange spices in alphabetical order. I use one rack for "dessert" spices/herbs and one for other spices/herbs. - 6/20/10
Preping like this saves time, keeps your spice bottles clean and it keeps us from missing and ingredient by doing it in advance. Saves time, money, mistakes, mishaps and cleanup. The container you put them in does not matter really. Tray keeps it all together. Empty with small paint brush. - 6/20/10
I have an idea that an ice cube tray works for her because she doesn't necessarily measure her spices, but adds them in pinches. I agree with mixing all dry and all wet in their own bowl. If they need added in a specific order, then individual bowls. - 6/20/10
I don't understand the ice cube tray deal. If you are using all the spices at once, it would be okay, but still a pain to keep from spilling unless you had a huge mixing bowl or something. If you use each spice individually, it makes more sense to have the jars together and measure as you go... - 6/20/10
Oh I'm not crazy about this suggestion at all. Looks like it would be a little difficult to get the spices out of the slots in the ice tray. It is much easier for me to just measure from the bottle directly to my recipe. - 6/20/10
Why dirty an extra object you'll have to wash later. Just measure into one bowl if all the ingredients will be in the dish anyway. Dry items in one bowl, wet in the other. - 6/20/10
no way, not gonna make a mess with ice cube trays, my spices are organized. It would be a waste of time. Thank you though. - 6/20/10
Thanks n I do agree! - 6/20/10
I bought a set of 10 tiny bowls for $1 at the Dollar Tree. Works so much better than the ice cube tray! Sorry, but this one wan't the world's greatest idea. - 6/20/10
Iagree with most everyone else, why mess up more than you have too. barbhan 6-20-10 - 6/20/10
Individual bowls work better. - 6/20/10
If i am using a lot of spices i will usually put them all out on the counter, measure out what i need into the bowl i am using or small cups/containers. Ice tray is interesting but i think that is just a lot of work since, you might end up putting in one or more spices that you don't need at that t - 6/20/10
What a wonderful idea. - 6/20/10
I watch a lot of food shows. Chefs put prepped ingredients in small bowls, never ice cube trays. Mis en place works well when making recipes with many ingredients. - 6/20/10
I do prefer to get all the spice out before I start cooking, but I agree with Etherialaura: I don't think it would save any time to measure into another recepticle. - 6/20/10
I usually measure out my spices before I start cooking and put them into very small bowls I bought for that purpose. Everything that gets added at the same time goes into one bowl- everything else gets its own bowl. I used to think this would be trouble than it was worth, but it really saves time! - 6/20/10
Mis en place: to me means getting everything ready before you begin. Especially when preparing a complicated recipe, set the measured ingredients, containers, tools and spices out on the prep counter in the order that they will be used. That way, I can be sure that nothing is missed. - 6/20/10
thank you - 6/20/10
good idea - 6/20/10
nice :D - 6/20/10
First rule to any procedure: Assemble your equipment. - 6/20/10
Maybe putting the spice jars/containers in the separate parts of the ice cube tray would work, but measuring out into the tray would cause more of a mess than it's worth. This idea may need a little more "fine-tuning". - 6/20/10
no thanks - 6/20/10
:o) - 6/20/10
I'm so glad I read this article. I thought the ice cube trays idea was great until I did read it. Thanx to all. Other ideas were great though. - 6/20/10
This tip is not a winner. Why use an Ice cube tray? It doesn't save time. It's another thing to clean. It would be harder to use. - 6/20/10
Yea, using the ice cube tray didn't make sense to me either. How do you pour out an ingredient into your mixing bowl or mixture without losing the other ingredients? GOOD QUESTION! I couldn't figure that one either. Seemed like too much of a hassle and extra work. - 6/20/10
Why dirty another dish? - 6/20/10
I won't use it - I would have problems with the ice cube tray. - 6/20/10
The only way this would be convenient is if all the spices were going in the dish at the same time and if you aren't cooking the dish right away, but rather getting everything prepped to cook at a later time. Otherwise I agree with everyone else and think this would be inconvenient and messy. - 6/20/10
Not a good idea, the icecube tray may be longer than your bowl creating a mess. - 4/8/10
Good idea but I don't think I'll use it - 3/23/10
I have another idea. How about using one of those cute little metal "palettes" that is used for mixing paints for a watercolor project. The little depressions would hold measured spices without being so deep and narrow that it would be difficult to get it out. Even a dessert plate would work. - 3/21/10
I don't really get it... - 3/21/10
Great idea, but how do you get the 1 tsp of cumin out of the tray without dumping everything? - 3/21/10
I am thinking time would be saved by having ingredients at hand along with measuring spoons, rather than taking them out and putting in ice cube tray then trying to get them all in the bowl. One more thing to wash as well. Having everything at had ts good. - 3/21/10
I agree with the other comments. Does not make sense at all and yes indeed where are the Spark Points for watching the video - 3/21/10
Worse than worthless...This is a good example of trying to fix something that is not broken. What a mess this would make as well as a lot more work, especially in cleaning up all the spilled spices! Oh...what about the cost of replacing those spilled spices? I'll stick to measuring as I go. - 3/20/10
I agree with the majority of people here, I don't see how this is efficient in any way. Small bowls work better. - 3/20/10
Good idea, but what about when the ingredients go in at different times or in different mixtures. What about using the Ice-pop containers? Those are removable and they are small enough like ice cubes. - 3/20/10
This is why you see so many ice cube trays at yardsales now, they are getting to be antiques, so someone thought, "hey, let's make up an idea to use this old thing".... - 3/20/10
I wish it had shown you her actually putting this idea into action... because I just don't get it. Surely you would have an avalanche of spice and herb confetti when attempting to add these ingredients to your pan or bowl or whatever. - 3/20/10
This does not make any sense what so ever! I can just see the big mess! - 3/20/10
It seems more trouble than its worth. It would take more time, not less time. - 3/20/10
I also do not understand this, unless she means putting the small spice boxes in each little ice cube slot??? but would they fit?
I do not understand the point..... - 3/20/10
I agree, more work than it's worth. Why not pour them all into the same bowl? Nope......Not for me - 3/20/10
I find it is more work not less - 3/20/10
Huh? Great if all the spice are going into the dish at the same time ... but ... then why wouldn't you put all the spices into the same bowl? I guess I agree with most of the posts above. - 3/20/10
I don't get this either -- I use small mise en place bowels that are cheap -- available everywhere. How do you get the spices out of the tray? Seems silly to me...... - 3/20/10
great tip! - 3/20/10
I totally agree with pre-measuring all ingredients out before beginning the cooking process. It makes me feel like I'm on a cooking show! LOL! Things just run smoother. I also read the recipe through in full before beginning. - 3/20/10
Ok... - 3/20/10
Excellent video on "how you change your brain and your body" by changing your thinking patterns and discipline in order to change your body. Great video. Thank you for sharing this with us. - 3/20/10
I used to think something like this added work but changed my mind when I got some little prep bowls. I toss in everything that goes in at the same time into the bowl depending on if it is dry spices/herbs or extracts. I like having it all measured at my fingertips! Quick and easy. - 3/20/10
not for me. thanks - 3/20/10
Dumb idea. Nice lady, but dumb idea. How about measure everything into one little bowl, then dump in. You would still have to measure out of the ice cube tray, then you'd have extra in there to figure out what to do with. I hope this helps somebody, but it didn't help me. - 3/20/10
This appears to be more work and additional items to clean. - 3/20/10
Ummm....no....I think the spice's would be everywhere and messy in the ice tray...better to put them on the counter in their containers they came in and shake them in or measure them from the container they were bought in...Why try to make a mess.... - 3/20/10
Why must everyone be so negative? If it doesn't work for you then do not use the tip. There might be people out there that need help at being more organized so it could very well help them. Just back off on being so mean. It is not necessary!!! - 3/20/10
Pouring the herbs and spices would be a problem if you didn't want them all together from the ice tray. I put mine in a small cup before cooking, including flour and other dry ingredients to be sure I don't miss anything. Great technique for teaching a child to measure and have everything together. - 3/20/10