Fun in the Cabinet

When Nyla was just starting to crawl, she often found her way into the closest kitchen cabinet to her. After work I would come home to find approximately 1,254,097 pieces of Tupperware strewn all over the floor. That was ok. She was exploring and having fun. Now that Naomi is mobile, she has found that same cabinet. What better way to spend your day than playing with all of the plastic and formula cans?! Who needs real toys when you have a cabinet full of noisy cans?! Oh yeah, they BOTH crawl into the cabinet. But hey, look at those smiles!

I hope everyone has a great Independence Day!

-D

A Stocked Kitchen

A well-stocked, organized kitchen is very important to me. It makes the cooking process easier and I know what I have in my kitchen at all times so I don't accidentally buy 3 more packs of flour when I already had 2 stocked away. We live on a budget and a mistake like this could be hurtful at the end of the month when/if we need milk or some sort of other staple item.

I like to make most everything from scratch. It's healthier, its fun and it has a better taste than store bought. The lists below are what you'll find in my kitchen most of the time. If I'm low on one of these items it's not for long. I like to have plenty in stock when I get the urge to make something. And getting the urge happens quite a bit so I have to be prepared.

Here is my "must-haves" list for the kitchen:

*wooden spoons (I have 4)

*plastic spatulas (I have 4)

*multiple size mixing bowls (I have 3 glass and 5 stainless steel)

*whisk (2)

*measuring cups/spoons (I have 3 sets)

*cheese grater

*strainer (I have 4, different sizes)

*rolling pin

*pots and pans (obviously)

*cookie sheets (I have 5+)

*loaf pans (I have 4)

*cutting boards (I have 4)

*stand mixer

*hand mixer

*food processor

*blender

Ingredients you'll more than likely find in my kitchen at all times

Baking:

*flours (all-purpose, whole wheat, bread)

*sugars (white, light brown, powdered)

*yeast

*honey

*powdered milk

*olive oil

*vegetable oil

*butter (the real thing, unsalted to control our salt intake)

*baking powder

*baking soda

*vanilla extract

*almond extract

*spices

*corn starch

*salt and pepper

*vegetable shortening

*oatmeal

*chocolate chips

*cake mixes

*nuts

Cooking Supplies:

*tomato paste and sauce

*stewed and diced tomatoes

*green chilis

*rotel mix (knock-off brand)

*pasta (whole wheat, all kinds)

*chicken broth

*chicken and beef bullion cubes

*dry beans

*rice (white and brown)

Freezer items:

*fruits (mixed, blueberries, strawberries, peaches)

*boneless, skinless chicken breasts

*ground beef/turkey (divided into 1 lb. portions)

*boneless pork chops

*veggies (buy fresh, chop and freeze)

*bacon

*nuts (pecans and walnuts pieces)

*ice cream (homemade of course)

*leftover convenience meals (for Hubby to take to work for lunch if no leftovers from dinner the night before)

Fridge items:

*milk (we like skim)

*eggs (at least 2 dozen)

*cheeses (cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan)

*pepperoni's (I make pizza quite a bit)

*heavy cream

*half-n-half

*cream cheese (2-3, 8 oz pks)

*butter (4+ sticks)

*yogurt

*fresh fruit or frozen fruit thawed (for cereals and bread recipes)

*condiments

My kitchen tools listed are the basics, but I use almost everything from that list on a daily basis. I have many more kitchen gadgets that I don't use frequently but enough that I don't mind all the space they take up. :)

And my list of foods can be at all times (for the most part). If you're serious about making things from scratch and cooking great meals everyday, this is a great starter list. Some things I have on my lists I recently added to my kitchen since we're trying to eat healthier (whole-wheat pasta, brown rice, whole-wheat flour).

Most of my kitchen tools we were blessed with from wedding gifts. I thought ahead of what I would want for now and would probably use in the near future. Glad I thought ahead because I definitely use them a lot.

I hope you found this list helpful and I hope you find wonderful joys in your kitchen as I have found in mine.

My Workspace

Here are pictures of my kitchen work area. This is my favorite room in our apartment. It's where all good cooking and baking goes on. It's a pretty big kitchen for an apartment. I'm so thankful for all the counter space and storage space (and all the cabinets are full). I just love all the creations that happen in here. Enjoy!

Command Central

That is my monthly menu on the left of the fridge. I also have an inventory of the freezer on the right. It has plenty of room to add to when I buy freezer items. When I use them I just mark it off the list. Under the inventory list is my grocery list that is organized by the items I buy most. On the grocery list you can also find a list for other places I frequent for household and toiletry items. There are my aprons hanging on the wall. And next to that our big white board with our monthly calendars, (no food) with our schedules and appointments. On the other half of that board is Hubby's weather updates. He loves the weather and he lets me know what will be happening in the next few days by writing on that board.

Prep area and tool holder

The stove and microwave, pretty basic. My recipe book that I put together myself, my recipe box from my momma and all the other kitchen tools I use almost every night. This is also another great prep are and great to serve from.

Sink and Prep Area

This is the sink and the part of the counter where I do most of the prep work. The light is best in this area. And what is the bright yellow rag doing under my mixer? It is a wash cloth that makes it easier for me to pull the mixer out from the corner and use it. And I use it so much that it doesn't make sense to store it in a cabinet.

The Pantry

Top shelf: Baking goods in their own, labeled containers and a few extra food items.

2nd shelf: Snacks and such.

3rd shelf: Salad toppings, rice and 6lb. jar of peanut butter.

4th shelf: All breakfast items.

5th shelf: Spices that won't fit into my spice cabinet and extra bottles of marinades.

Floor: You can't see the bottom of the pantry but that is where the extras foods are stored.

Well that is my kitchen. I hoped you enjoyed the tour!