As they say, the kitchen is the heart of the home, a place where the whole family can participate in meal making. For me the kitchen is a place where I have many fond memories during my childhood of watching and learning with my mother and my grandmothers make their signature dishes and pass on their tips and secrets to make it turn out perfect every time.
It is a fact that in order to be healthy we need to eat a wide array of whole foods including fruits, vegetables, whole-grains and protein sources like lean cuts of meat, fish, tofu, soy and legumes to name a few.
We eat with our eyes so it is no wonder that the way in which our kitchen is organised can influence the meals that we create.
Here are my top tips to organise your pantry:
1) Stocktake
The best place to start when re-organising your kitchen is to do a stocktake. This will help you to only stock up on what you need, as well as give you an overall picture of your food choices.
Creating a blank canvas will help you to organise your kitchen efficiently. You can then store your foods accordingly.
Use this an opportunity to dispose of food that may be out of date and if you find you have multiples of foods such as canned or long-life packaged goods. You can donate them to your local food bank or church to help the most vulnerable people in our society.
2) Stock Up on Essentials
Stocking your pantry and fridge with essential foods is a must for a healthy lifestyle. It is also a great way to solidify those healthy habits you’ve been working on.
It’s important to have a variety of fruits, vegetables, non-starchy carbohydrates and lean protein sources. This way you have the basics to create a meal, perfect for days when you may be short on time.
To add an extra dimension of flavour to your dishes having a variety of spices and herbs such as; oregano, paprika, rosemary, cinnamon, nutmeg and garlic powder to name a few. Using herbs and spices adds flavour to your dishes without having to rely on salt as your only flavour enhancer.
3) Organise and Label
Have you ever been looking for an ingredient, only to find that you had multiples of it stored on a high shelf out of reach?
It’s a common situation that because it is out of your sight, you assume that you may not have it and then go to the grocery store only to realise you had that ingredient the whole time.
Investing in a quality labeller and organise your foods in order will help you determine what you have on hand. As well as ensure you aren’t buying more than what you need.
For my pantry I have used storage buckets and containers and categorised my foods accordingly. I have put my treat foods such as chocolate, biscuits and chips on a higher shelf so that they aren’t the first thing I reach for. Labelling foods allows you to see clearly what you have as well as the use-by date.
4) Invest in Essential Kitchen Utensils and Appliances.
You don’t need to own every fancy kitchen utensil and appliances, but having essentials on hand helps make cooking easier.
My top essentials to invest in are:
· A good quality chopping board
· The best chef’s knife and paring knife that you can afford.
· A quality blender
· Glass storage containers for cooked foods
· Measuring cups and spoons.
· Kitchen scales
· A vegetable peeler
· A quality cookware set that includes a frypan and heavy pot
· A wooden spoon, slotted spoon and silicone spatula
· A rolling pin
5) Make your Space Functional
Even if you have a small kitchen space, the way you style you kitchen can make the space as functional as possible.
Storing your utensils and appliances can make a huge difference on the overall appearance of your kitchen as well as maximise the space you have to work with when cooking.
After showing many of my clients easy tips for kitchen storage, it has helped them be inspired to cook more.
Adding your own creative flare to help spark inspiration and make your kitchen unique to you helps to create a fun space where you can cook. In my kitchen I have hung up some pictures of my family’s hometown in Sicily, Italy. I have also got some of my favourite cookbooks on display for when I want instant inspiration as well as a splash of colour.
