Tips on Managing a Kitchen

Be it a newly wed, a new mom or a working wife cooking and managing kitchen is something that everyone is concerned about.

 
Shop Smart : 
Get yourself a magnetic notepad or a few kitchen magnets. Have a list of the vegetables in the fridge and freezer always written on this notepad on your fridge. This will help you decide your menu quickly. Try to Cook the vegetable in the list that tends to get rotten fast in the begining of the week
 
The next page of the notepad can be used to make the next week's grocery list. When I empty down the last batch of sugar from its Store bought paper bag into my sugar container I know I might go short of it next week if I don’t shop it during my this week’s grocery so I immediately write it down on my notepad.
 
Sugar, salt, milk, onion, potatoes, tomatoes, rice, tea powder and wheat flour –these are the staple items of any kitchen,so whatever happens make sure you have enough.
 
Some Useful Tips :
 
Get a pair of kitchen scissors. This helps you to easily cut the cilantro, mint or chili finely without  any mess.
 
Spray bottle: Fill it with water halfway add ¼ cup dishwashing soap and few tbsp of vinegar. Shake this well and once you finish cooking, spray it on the kitchen counter top and wipe with a micro fiber cloth or kitchen towel.Voila .The kitchen counter will be sparkling clean in minutes.
 
 
 Some quick fixes :
 
To boil the potatoes, tomatoes etc without mess in a microwave, just use the produce bag (the transparent bag in which you choose and drop veggies in).Wash the tomatoes and potatoes (approx1/2 lb) place in the bag. Tie a knot and punch 2 holes in the bag and pop it in microwave for 5-7 mins.
 
Peel the boiled potato skin and use this skin to clean your mirror.
 
Whenever you are free prepare the ginger-garlic paste for the week or a month. Store in a glass bottle.
 
Separate the garlic cloves pop them in microwave for 45 secs and they peel off easily.
 
Peeling or scraping ginger with the back of spoon is an easy way to peel ginger.
 
Scrape the ginger with the inside of a spoon, getting the edge of the spoon into the crevices of the ginger.
The skin will come off with a gentle scrape.
 
You could also puree the tomatoes and pour it in ice tray and freeze. You can use it for cooking as required.
 
You could similarly store lemon juice or watermelon juice when both lemon and water melon are cheap. Especially watermelons are big and sometimes it’s just too much to consume. Pop lemon in microwave for 30 secs and you get all the juices out. Buy big lemons and limes they are sweeter than the smaller ones.
 
Store leftover rice in an airtight container. Next day sprinkle water and microwave.
 
Store potatoes and onions separately otherwise potatoes tend to rot faster. Store an apple with the potatoes. This prevents potatoes from budding
 
 Indian curries when stored in plastic containers change the color of the container. Coat the inside of the container with a cooking spray before you store the curry.This will prevent the container from getting discolored.
 
Overripe tomatoes can be made firm and fresh by placing them in cold water with little salt overnight.
 
 Make sure you don’t buy same veggies every week. Try different varieties and new recipes. Cooking the same food again and again will lead to wastage.
When you return home from grocery –come home clean the greens wrap them in kitchen towel and store. Make sure all other vegetables are dry too. If you have previous week’s grocery left make sure you use it up earlier.
 
Clean your silverware with a toothbrush and toothpaste.
 
 
Do not Keep it For Later :
 
  Do things on time.Immediatele after cooking, do the cleaning. Don’t be lazy. Cleaning everyday makes the work  a lot easier,clean the stains before they harden. Load the gas stove grates or electric stove coil and plate and the microwave turn table in the dishwasher. They come out clean.
 
Once a week, use the bottled cleaner (mentioned above) to  clean the grinder, toaster and other appliances. Spray the cleaning liquid on the appliances and wipe them clean.Have a fixed place for all stuffs so that you won't waste time searching.Invest in drawer organizers and cabinet liners.