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Now that the kids have grown up and moved on, I’ve been evaluating my must-have kitchen essentials. You may remember that we remodeled our kitchen last year and eliminated lots of clutter. We have less cupboard space than we did before so it only stands to reason that we need to have fewer things in the cupboards. As we work toward a more minimalist lifestyle, I’m evaluating what we hold onto.
Must Have Kitchen Essentials
Since it’s just Marty and me now, we no longer feed four to six people each night. There are no more school lunches to pack or sporting events to attend. I no longer need plastic cups, cartoon themed bowls or lunch bags. That doesn’t mean that I don’t still spend time in the kitchen.
As a woman who loves to cook, I have a few things that I just consider must have kitchen essentials. I’m preparing smaller meals but we still entertain occasionally and I enjoy setting an attractive table. Here are a few things on my must have kitchen item list.
Instant Pot
My Instant Pot is hands down one of my favorite small kitchen appliances. Even when I forget to defrost something for dinner, I can have dinner on the table in less than an hour. If you haven’t tried it yet, I’d recommend my Instant Pot Italian Beef Dinner which is one of our favorite meals.
Solid color tablecloth
We invested in a wooden kitchen table once the kids were old enough not to color on it any longer. We’d like to keep it in good shape for as long as possible. A tablecloth not only protects your table, but it’s an easy way to dress up your kitchen when you entertain.
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Wooden cutting board
To me, there is nothing more useful than a sturdy wooden cutting board. It’s not only functional but beautiful at the same time. Properly cared for, a wooden cutting board can last for years. It really needs to be coated periodically with mineral oil to prevent cracking because the water and soap you use to wash it will dry out the wood.
Spice rack
I use lots of herbs and spices when I cook and I hate having to hunt through the cupboards for the right spice. It is so much more efficient and organized to keep your spices and herbs displayed in a spice rack. The spices are easy to see and all in one place. Remember that most spices should be replaced every six months.
Heavy pot
I love to cook and a heavy pot can serve so many different purposes. We make homemade popcorn on the stove top in our large pot. We also use it to make my Paleo beef stew recipe and my gluten-free chicken soup recipe. Be sure to choose one with a tight fitting lid when you’re making your choice. You want something that will last you a long time.
Knife set
A knife set is something that makes cooking easier. While you don’t need to go crazy and buy every type of knife imaginable, you will want to have the basics on hand along with a set of steak knives that are serrated. I recommend a paring knife, a bread knife, a carving knife, and a chef’s knife.
Of course, your kitchen will likely have other essentials as well as the ones I’ve listed depending on what you enjoy cooking. If you love desserts, a rolling pin may be on your list. If you enjoy Asian cuisine, you may want to own a wok and a bamboo steamer.
What else is on your list of must have kitchen essentials?
Ellen is a busy mom of a 22-year-old son and 27-year-old daughter. She owns 5 blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.com to chat.
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