下したごしらえ

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb

preparation; preliminary arrangements; pre-cooking prep

Broadly refers to advance preparation, especially in cooking (washing, cutting, parboiling) but also for events or tasks. Often used with する.

• 料りょう理りの前まえに野や菜さいの下したごしらえをしておく。

  I do the prep work for the vegetables before cooking.

• 会かい議ぎの下したごしらえとして資し料りょうをまとめた。

  As preparation for the meeting, I compiled the documents.