How To Organize Your Kitchen
Stocking cupboards with commonly used cooking ingredients is the first step in learning to cook. As with any project, having the right supplies on hand is important to making the whole process go smoothly. Cooking is no different. There are certain “staples,” such as flour, sugar, salt, pepper, and other items, which should always be on hand. Keeping staple ingredients in the cupboard makes it much easier to pull together a great meal at a moment’s notice, and shopping for daily menus will be easier, too.
Storing Foods
Foods spoil over time, and how you store your foods plays an important role in how long they’ll last. Certain items, such as dairy products, meats, and fresh produce, have a much shorter shelf life than some of your other staples.
Items such as flour, sugar, and herbs/spices should be sealed in air-tight containers for the best results (think Tupperware or Rubbermaid). Not only will they remain fresh longer, but they’ll also remain free of insects and other pests.
Foods requiring refrigeration should be placed in tightly sealed containers or adequately covered with plastic wrap or foil to prevent drying out. Eggs should remain in their original carton in the fridge as should milk, sour cream, and most other dairy products. Fresh produce should stay in the vegetable crisper, except potatoes and onions, which should be store in a cool, dark, dry place.
Anything finding its way to the freezer should be wrapped in heavy foil or placed in freezer containers.
Try these suggestions for maximizing your time and minimizing your bill at the grocery store:
- Stocking Staples. Buy enough to avoid extra trips to the market but not more than you’ll use before they expire.
- Make a List. This will help ensure you buy everything you need and help you cut back on impulse purchases.
- Plan Your Meals. Map out your meals for the week so that you can make one trip to the store rather than several “quick” trips.
- Watch For Sales/Coupons. The Sunday paper is usually packed with coupons and other local specials. Try to plan some of your meals around these.
- Shop in One Store. Even though specialty stores may be all the rage, if you’re strapped for time (or money), the supermarket may be your best choice. Save the specialty stores for when you have time to browse.
- Try to Avoid Rush Hour. Most people shop after work or on the weekends, so try to find the best time in your schedule when the aisles aren’t so crowded.
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