preliminary arrangements; preparation; spadework; pre-cooking
料理の下拵えに一時間ほどかかった。
The preparation for cooking took about an hour.
下拵えをしっかりすれば料理は簡単になる。
If you prepare thoroughly, cooking becomes easy.
母は朝から夕食の下拵えを始めていた。
My mother had started the dinner preparations since morning.