Kitchen Tips to Make Life Easier

Life is weird and wacky right now. We’re all out of our usual routines and are learning to adapt in different ways, including the way we shop, cook and eat. So to help make life a little easier, I thought I’d share some of my favourite kitchen tips. These are handy at any time in life, and especially right now when we’re going to the supermarket much less and are at home much more.

Spices
Next time you’re at the shops, stock up on some spices. Some of my favourites are cinnamon, cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper, turmeric and paprika. Spice mixes are great too, like a yummy curry powder and Mexican spice mix. Pop these somewhere in your kitchen where you can see them clearly and reach for them easily to add to your meals. Just make sure they’re somewhere away from heat and direct light, I have mine lined up on a shelf in my pantry. If they’re not already, store them in airtight jars or containers with labels on them. They’re an instant flavour boost and are also packed full of fabulous nutrients! 

Herbs
Also buy a few bunches of herbs next time you’re at the shops (or better yet, grow you’re own...many are super simple to grow in your garden or window sill). Some of my top picks are rosemary, parsley, coriander, chives and tarragon. Cut them up and pop them in ice cube trays, then cover with olive oil and freeze them. Once frozen, move them to an airtight container with a label. Next time you’re cooking just pop an ice cube in your pot or pan to start the meal.

Save your favourites
Keep your favourite meals and recipes in a notebook, a folder on your computer, the notes section of your phone, wherever suits you best. Save your favourite no fuss recipes and a list of your favourite meals there. That way, when you’re stuck for ideas, you have a go to list for instant inspiration. Here are a few ideas to get you started – one pot hearty lentil stew, best ever marinade, roasted pumpkin soup, tofu sauce and mushroom loaf.

Satisfying snacks
Make sure you have satisfying snacks in your kitchen. These are great go-tos next time you’re hungry and want something easy to eat. Some ideas are hummus, veggie sticks (prep them at the start of the week and keep them in an airtight container in the fridge), cherry tomatoes, crackers (like VitaWheets, Ryvitas, Mary’s Gone crackers or Carmen’s seed crackers), a batch of super seed biscuits or nut loaf (which both store in the freezer really well), small cans of fish (especially salmon, mackerel and kippers), small cans of chickpeas or other beans, Freedom Foods Barley 7 Seeds Bars, fruit, plain yoghurt and your own DIY trail mix (simply mix together some of your favourite nuts and seeds along with other options like shredded coconut, cacao nibs, carob kibbles, goji berries or other chopped up dried fruit). When having a snack, make sure you include a source of either protein or fat to help sustain energy levels and satiety - e.g. hummus and veggie sticks or crackers, or fruit with yoghurt.

Easy as food prep
At the start of your week, prep some simple things that you can put together to create meals throughout the week. I like to roast a big tray of veggies; cook up a batch of grains like brown rice, buckwheat or quinoa; and prepare some protein like boiled eggs, poached chicken or marinated baked tofu. When it comes to mealtime, simply mix together your roast veggies, grains and protein; add some fresh veg like a handful of leafy greens or cherry tomatoes and some flavour hits (see my next tip below) and enjoy! P.S. you could heat this up in a pan for a warm dish or enjoy it as a salad.

Flavour hits
Have various flavour hits hiding in your kitchen. These include things like olives, pickled veggies, sauerkraut, dukkha, zataar, tamari, wholegrain mustard, hummus, extra virgin olive oil, pepper, shichimi, spicy seed sprinkle, a delicious salsa or chutney. A homemade salad dressing that you keep in the fridge is also a great idea – like a classic lemon vinaigrette or a miso tahini dressing. Add whatever you’re in the mood for to finish off your meals. This way you’ve always got an instantly tasty meal and won’t get bored with the same flavours!

Explore your pantry
Organise and clean out your pantry. Get familiar with what’s in there – I bet there are a few awesome things in there you’ve forgotten about. If there’s anything you’re unsure how to use, just Google some ideas. Then organise your pantry so that you can clearly see what you have – if you have things in jars, labeling them makes the world of difference so you’re not stuck with mysterious ingredients. This makes it so much easier when it comes to mealtime or checking what you need when going grocery shopping. Do the same thing with your fridge and freezer.

Frozen fruit and veg
Always have some frozen fruit and veg on hand. You could either buy frozen ones or freeze some yourself. If doing your own, include freezing fruit that’s getting a little too ripe so that it doesn’t go to waste. Frozen fruit is great to add to baking or smoothies (I also love adding frozen berries to plain yoghurt for a snack). If doing your own veggies, steam them first then freeze them once they’ve cooled. Frozen veggies are an excellent easy addition to soups, stews, stir fries, pasta dishes, casseroles and loads more. Also freeze veggie scraps to make into your own veggie stock.

Stock the basics
Make sure you’ve always got some pantry basics on hand so that you can throw together a yummy meal any day of the week. Some of my pantry must haves include veggie stock, canned tomatoes, frozen veg and fruit, canned or dried beans, canned fish, frozen salmon, grains like buckwheat or brown rice, rolled oats, spices, nuts and seeds.

Herbal teas
Get familiar with what herbal teas you enjoy and keep some near your kettle. Herbal teas aren’t only lovely to drink, they’re also a beautiful example of food as medicine. Many of us are working from home at the moment and tend to feel like we’ve hit a wall, get bored and restless, or feel incredibly lethargic around mid afternoon. Instead of trying to push through, get up and take a break and brew yourself a cuppa – something with peppermint or citrus is lovely and refreshing. You don’t even need to buy actual teas – pop a spring of rosemary in warm water for memory and concentration; a sprig of thyme for headaches and sore throats; or a few slices of ginger for digestion and to warm you up. When you’re feeling stressed or before bed, chamomile or lavender teas are lovely options.

So there you have it folks! Some easy and practical kitchen tips to help make life easier. Enjoy!