To "putter around in the kitchen" is an idiomatic expression that refers to casually and leisurely engaging in various activities or tasks in the kitchen without a particular sense of urgency or direction. It implies a relaxed and unhurried manner of working or moving around, often associated with activities such as cooking, cleaning, organizing, or experimenting with recipes.
When someone is puttering around in the kitchen, they may be tidying up the space, rearranging utensils or ingredients, browsing through cookbooks, trying out new recipes, or engaging in any other nonchalant kitchen-related tasks that don't have a specific goal or timeline. It's a way of spending time in the kitchen without a specific agenda, simply enjoying the process and taking pleasure in the surroundings.