Lissa @ Humble Pie says “ Let’s set up our kitchens in a way that they beg to be cooked in!“ Lissa I really want to borrow your kitchen. Mine isn’t near as pretty as yours;)
Finding the good in it…as my Grace says to me…is that I can ” set up shop ” and scrub it down and organize it and make it a fresh and clean place to cook healthy & wholesome food for my family.
We haven’t ate out in 22 days which has =
- lots of dish washing
- more food than your fridge can hold
- TIME prepping, cooking & cleaning! NO joke!
and I’m lovin it! I feel as if I am being connected back to my grandma ” roots “. She was a cook. The house was always filled with the aroma of love…her heart was cooking to show us how much she loved us. I miss her. I think I associate cooking with love.
The problem - I can and will “set up shop ” but I don’t have the kitchen equipment necessary to cook…and prep. It is not stopping me from not cooking but I am going to have to invest in some kitchen things if I am going to pursue cooking everyday. The benefits have been to great!
……:)Back to setting up shop
I need some advice. I have a hodge podge of pots, pans and cookware. Since I am spending more time prepping and cooking I would like to start investing in my kitchen.
Starting with Pots & Pans for example. What kind do you use? Do I buy non-stick or what? Any suggestions?
I saw Lissa had Le Creuset. They come a a rainbow of colors…just heavenly! Here are a couple.
or more budget friendly…Rachel Ray?
I have been using Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution cookbook. I am in 100% with changing the way America eats. I am all in on the whole foods/minimally processed food movement. Lovin Jamie!
Also loving Cooking with my Kid…couple of recipe’s below. I tweek a few things but it is SO doable!
Last week I cooked Jamie’s Cilantro Lime Rice, Cracking Burger and a Chopped Salad
This is my basic format for my menu planning each week
2/3 nights I make a new recipe out of Jamie’s Food Revolution Cookbook/or cookbook of choice
1 night crock pot
1 night soup & fruit
1 night sandwiches & fruit
1 night we eat leftovers or 2 if there is lots from the week
**I am making double batches so we have enough leftover for lunches the next day. I am experimenting if it is cheaper than 6 dinners, 6 lunches and breakfasts.
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Jamie’s Macaroni and Cauliflower Bake with a Salad
Jamie’s Spaghetti with Bolognese Sauce – I am used to making spaghetti with Ragu & Hamburger!
One Pot Meal: Cheater Italian Wedding Soup (this is SO good )
Grilled Apple,Bacon,Cheese Sand on Sprouted Bread & Fruit ( sandwich each week ) My own recipe. I am trying a new turkey bacon with no nitrates or growth hormones that I got at the Whole Food Market yesterday.
Crock Pot Fajitas with homemade guacamole..yum yum
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is this sickening or what? Lissa’s kitchen…. you know I’m not being serious right? It is splendid! We can love living vicariously through Lissa & others like her but in REALITY that doesn’t work so well. Let’s roll up our sleeves this weekend and join in shall we?
Are you ready to join Lissa and spend a weekend scrubbing down your kitchen? I am so in love with her Le Creuset and I love the color! Keep bringin it girl:) Cooking good, real, wholesome food that my kids/teenager WILL eat…that makes me happy!
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Get ready for Word Women Wednesday cause I have a breath of fresh air for you. Linsey from LLH Designs is going to post for us! So stay tuned and be praying:)
until tomorrow…T
Sur La Table is having its once a year huge sale. My daughter just bought a beautiful Le Creuset stock pot for $30. (normally $70.) It would be a great place to start.
I bought darling kitchen utensil Christmas ornaments. ($1 normally $5.)
Fondly,
Glenda
I love you place here! And this post, all about food and cooking and kitchens…it's right up my alley. I have one of those fancy cast-iron pots (in red — I love it), but mostly just use plain-jane stainless steel. It seems to do the trick, although non-stick might be easier to clean.
My suggestion would be to buy individual pieces instead of a set of pots/pans. Different brands/styles have different advantages based on what you are cooking. I have a small CHEAP nonstick skillet for those frying up an egg and other small jobs. I also have a large Calphalon nonstick skillet w/lid for family meals (you can buy them at Target). I use it for things like scrambling a large amt of eggs or sauteeing veggies…things that you REALLY don't want to stick to a pan. But MY FAVORITE go to pan is a large Cuisinart stainless steal saute pan with cover….it is a MUST for dishes where you will deglaze the pan (with stock or wine), because you WANT those yummy little bits to stick to the pan. I found mine on sale at Macy's (several years ago). Do not buy too many "specialty" pans. For example, I have a Calphalon wok that I thought I would die without…yet I only use it about once every year. A roasting pan is nice, but I'm just as likely to use a pyrex dish to roast meats. Speaking of pyrex dishes…I have 5 in various sizes and use them often! Just one last thing (I promise)…I don't know if Tupperware still makes them, but I have a micro-steamer that gets used almost daily to steam veggies. I lied….salad spinner!! if you eat a lot of salads you really should invest in one. I have a Zyliss and LOVE it!!! I could go ON and ON…can you tell I love cooking?…but I've already written a small book. So if you have any questions please feel free to e-mail me! okay…I double lied…you NEED stock pots…i'm leaving now before I think of something else!
thank you for this sweet post! It think making those double batches is a great idea! Then you will have leftovers which will keep you from eating out on a night when you're running around like crazy!
I LOVE le creuset! I think it's worth the investment! They're great quality! You can't put it in the dishwasher though.
Hello! I'm new over here but SO excited to be "introduced" by LLH Designs. I love both your blogs so very much! My prayer this year is, "Lord, teach me to be authentic."
About the cooking gear – I agree with Sammi – go with individual pieces. I like TJ Max or Marshall's to add quality items at discount prices. Gotta haves are: industrial sized cookie sheets with silicone mats, Kitchen Aid shredding attachment, & assortment of spatulas & whisks.
Blessings!