Do You Have an Efficient Kitchen?
10 Ways to Test Kitchen Efficiency:Place a check mark next to each statement that is true in your kitchen...
- _____ Do you clean your refrigerator on a weekly basis? It’s best to do before a grocery run so you can plan to use what you have while making your list and so that you have plenty of room to store your groceries.
- _____ Are your cutting boards easily accessible and in good condition?
- _____ Do you have a variety of sharp knives that are easy to find and use?
- _____ How does your supply of cooking utensils look? Do you have adequate spoons, ladles, spatulas, etc?
- _____ Do you have enough pots and pans? Can you find the lids?
- _____ Are your microwave-safe containers organized and easy to find?
- _____ Do you have enough storage containers and bags? (These will make storing “planned overs” and packing healthful lunches a breeze)!
- _____ Do you have the equipment you need in order to make your job easier? This could be...* Microwave* Toaster oven* Food processor and/or blender* Rice cooker* Stand mixer or hand mixer
- _____ Is your freezer clean with relatively new foods? Or is it packed and messy? An organized freezer makes cooking much easier.
- _____ Do you have enough room to work on your counters?
Give yourself a point for every item checked...
- 1-3 points: You’ve got some work to do.
- 4-6 points: Good start! Try our tips.
- 7-10 points: You have an efficient kitchen!
For Fast Meals, Keep These on Hand:Dry:
- Pasta and pasta sauce
- Rice
- Oil and vinegar
- Spices, herbs, seasonings
- Whole grain bread and cereals
- Canned beans and soups
- Tuna
Refrigerated:
- Skim milk
- Fat-free yogurt and sour cream
- Orange juice
- Fruit and vegetables
- Parmesan cheese
- Trans fat-free margarine
Frozen:
- Frozen veggie assortments
- Veggie burgers
- Nuts and seeds