Cooking in small spaces takes some adjustment and creativity. I LOVE my small kitchen because everything is nearby. However, cooking large meals or desserts use a lot of counter space, so a little creativity and preparation is important. In the meantime, the key is to have fun, watch a LOT of cooking shows for ideas and encouragement, and don't be afraid to experiment! You never know, you might just land a winner recipe!
For some recipes that have worked well for us and are now amongst our favorites, click the picture to go to its recipe page.
See below the recipes for some small-kitchen cooking tips.
For some recipes that have worked well for us and are now amongst our favorites, click the picture to go to its recipe page.
See below the recipes for some small-kitchen cooking tips.
Tips and Tricks of cooking
The biggest key to making great food, is to have the very freshest of ingredients. Whenever I can, I like to get my spices & herbs fresh instead of dried in jars. Remember to reduce your herbs just a tad from what the recipe calls for, as the freshness of the herb is a LOT more potent!
I also like to grow as many fresh herbs and ingredients as I can. For this reason, I bought an AeroGarden, which is a cool little hydroponic garden that raises 6 plants at a time. I really enjoy picking lettuce whenever I can, and harvesting herbs whenever I need them.
Fresh milled salt and pepper are important as well. Himalayan salt tastes a lot better and is better for you than processed iodized salt. We also use Avocado and Olive Oils, as these are better for you and your cholesterol. Fresh, zested lemons and limes are a bonus to a lot of foods, so have those handy as well. Lastly, quality cookware and knives are always a plus. Make sure you keep them sharp so you don't struggle with your prep.
I also like to grow as many fresh herbs and ingredients as I can. For this reason, I bought an AeroGarden, which is a cool little hydroponic garden that raises 6 plants at a time. I really enjoy picking lettuce whenever I can, and harvesting herbs whenever I need them.
Fresh milled salt and pepper are important as well. Himalayan salt tastes a lot better and is better for you than processed iodized salt. We also use Avocado and Olive Oils, as these are better for you and your cholesterol. Fresh, zested lemons and limes are a bonus to a lot of foods, so have those handy as well. Lastly, quality cookware and knives are always a plus. Make sure you keep them sharp so you don't struggle with your prep.
To save more space in a small kitchen, you can always go "UP" with your fruit basket! Previously, I had so much fruit in my long basket that I frequently found rotting potatoes or onions at the bottom that I had forgotten about. It also took up a lot of room on the counter.
I love using fresh ingredients, and they require good storage, so I found a 3-tier fruit basket on Amazon that I absolutely love! It's slatted so it offers breathing room for the veggies, it's sturdy, and I can see each of my veggies in layers so I can keep a better eye on them!
Remember though, once you cut a veggie open, you will need to keep it in the fridge to retain its freshness.
I love using fresh ingredients, and they require good storage, so I found a 3-tier fruit basket on Amazon that I absolutely love! It's slatted so it offers breathing room for the veggies, it's sturdy, and I can see each of my veggies in layers so I can keep a better eye on them!
Remember though, once you cut a veggie open, you will need to keep it in the fridge to retain its freshness.
Last but not least... Wash dishes as you go.. Especially as you bake, washing a few dishes as you go will reduce an overall mess at the end, and give you back the use of the dishes you like using most. Especially if you have a small kitchen and only keep a few items of need.
APP Tip: I use "Paprika Recipe Manager" for the app to keep my recipes on. I love this app because it syncs with the Mac, the iPad and iPhone.. I use my iPad when I'm cooking, and when I click the ingredient, it crosses it out to let you know you added it. You can also highlight the instructions on the right to know what step you're at.
Also, it has a browser where you can paste the URL of your recipe, then download it right into your app. It also has a calendar and shopping list, but I don't use those. I do use the 'pin recipe' feature, which puts a recipe on my to-do list so I know what to shop for. You can also create your own categories, rate your recipes, and add notes and nutrition information. Best recipe app I've ever had.
APP Tip: I use "Paprika Recipe Manager" for the app to keep my recipes on. I love this app because it syncs with the Mac, the iPad and iPhone.. I use my iPad when I'm cooking, and when I click the ingredient, it crosses it out to let you know you added it. You can also highlight the instructions on the right to know what step you're at.
Also, it has a browser where you can paste the URL of your recipe, then download it right into your app. It also has a calendar and shopping list, but I don't use those. I do use the 'pin recipe' feature, which puts a recipe on my to-do list so I know what to shop for. You can also create your own categories, rate your recipes, and add notes and nutrition information. Best recipe app I've ever had.
Ingredients found in our kitchen...
We love to use the freshest ingredients, the best supplies possible, and the healthiest foods to cook with. After tons of research and Mark's knowledge of the body systems, we have chosen to have these ingredients on hand at all times in our kitchen.
- Avocado Oil & Olive Oils - High heat sensitivity, low burn, and excellent sear on foods
- Plant based Butter - Better oils/fats in the butter itself and less calories. It is also more creamy and delicious than real butter.
- Almond Milk - I use this in most recipes. Just remember NOT to get the Vanilla version if you're cooking with it. Almond milk has better fats, lowers cholesterol, and has less calories.
- 100% Juice - Mostly for breakfast, but a small amount of real juice gives you the antioxidants that you need to start your day. Remember NOT to get anything with fake sugar or added chemicals.
- Pure Cane Sugar - I only use pure organic cane sugar in anything that needs sugar. I bought my last bag a year ago, and still have about half bag left. I don't cook with much sugar obviously, and for drinks and bread, I use honey to sweeten when needed.
- Himalayan Salt - Pure organic, real salt that is more potent and tastes better than regular table salt. Himalayan salt is also known to balance your body's pH, reduce signs of aging, improves sleep and helps regulate blood sugar. I have both fine grain salt for cooking, and course salt for the grinder on the table.
- Lemons and Limes - There are a LOT of recipes that call for you to zest a lemon/lime or add its juice. Let me tell you, this has been a game changer! I used to skip this step, but since I've been using the zests or a spritz of their juice, salads especially take on a whole new flavor. The flavors will POP in your mouth!
- Avocado Oil & Olive Oils - High heat sensitivity, low burn, and excellent sear on foods
- Plant based Butter - Better oils/fats in the butter itself and less calories. It is also more creamy and delicious than real butter.
- Almond Milk - I use this in most recipes. Just remember NOT to get the Vanilla version if you're cooking with it. Almond milk has better fats, lowers cholesterol, and has less calories.
- 100% Juice - Mostly for breakfast, but a small amount of real juice gives you the antioxidants that you need to start your day. Remember NOT to get anything with fake sugar or added chemicals.
- Pure Cane Sugar - I only use pure organic cane sugar in anything that needs sugar. I bought my last bag a year ago, and still have about half bag left. I don't cook with much sugar obviously, and for drinks and bread, I use honey to sweeten when needed.
- Himalayan Salt - Pure organic, real salt that is more potent and tastes better than regular table salt. Himalayan salt is also known to balance your body's pH, reduce signs of aging, improves sleep and helps regulate blood sugar. I have both fine grain salt for cooking, and course salt for the grinder on the table.
- Lemons and Limes - There are a LOT of recipes that call for you to zest a lemon/lime or add its juice. Let me tell you, this has been a game changer! I used to skip this step, but since I've been using the zests or a spritz of their juice, salads especially take on a whole new flavor. The flavors will POP in your mouth!
Favorite Chefs and Resources..
- Gordon Ramsey of course - He's got a lot of resources out there along with some shows I don't much care for, but his episodes of "Home Cooking", "Master Chef", and "The 'F' Word" are shows I like the best. 'F' for Food of course, but in that show, he demonstrates to his viewers, methods of better cooking.
- See Drummond (The Pioneer Woman) - Delicious recipes, and family favorites! My go-to place for anything I'm at a loss for making for dinner. Lots of beautiful ideas here! :-)
- Paula Dean has some awesome methods of cooking, and has a great palate for food. I often look to her for advice and to see how she puts foods together.
