There are some ideas or practices that just stick with you and help change the way you see things. The rule of the Tibetan monks is one of those things for me. The rule I remember is to use as few things as possible. I think they even talk about using just one bowl.
When applied to cooking, this means trying to use as few bowls and pans as possible, or using one cutting board and one knife for the entire cooking process. After cutting one kind of vegetable, you can rinse the knife and use the same knife and cutting board, without taking out another one. Or, if you’re done frying one thing in a pan, you can rinse it (if necessary) and reuse the same pan instead of getting another one. This way, you don’t end up with a huge pile of dirty dishes after cooking, which makes the whole process more enjoyable.
Another thing that really helps me is cleaning the countertops and washing dishes while cooking. There are always pauses in cooking while you wait for something to boil or fry. I try not to waste that time but to do some cleaning, washing, and putting things away—especially bulky items like bowls and pans. Then, after the meal, I only have to wash the plates and cups.
What I have to remember is that every bowl or dish I take out, I will have to put away later. So, what might seem easier—taking out another bowl—actually adds more work later. I will have to wash and put away all the items I’ve used. Or, I can rinse and reuse the same bowl and put it away when I’m done. The point is, if I want to keep my house tidy, I’ll have to deal with every item I use. So, the fewer items I take out, the fewer things I have to deal with later.