The Essentials for Every Kitchen

The Essentials For Every Kitchen

There are just a few things I think you should always keep in your kitchen. These things make quick and easy cooking a breeze. Without them you might have to get creative and sometimes that will just end in frustration and ultimately calling the pizza delivery guy. (Which is ok every once in a while, just make sure to ask about their specials) ;)Food Items:MilkEggsBreadShredded Cheese*Pasta* of any typePasta Sauce*Flour*Sugar*Olive Oil*SaltGarlic (mensed or whole cloves)OnionSeason AllMayo or Miracle Whip*Salsa*Tortilla chips or Flour TortillasFrozen meat of some sort (hot dogs, chicken, fish, burger)*Canned or frozen veggies**Denotes items that you can find on sale seasonally and you should stock up on.Utensils:SkilletSauce PanChopper (PC Food Chopper, PC Manual Chopper)Slotted SpoonWooden SpoonMix N Scraper ToolCookie Sheet or StoneGood mixing bowl (I prefer the PC Batter Bowl)Timer (on stove or microwave will work)Hot PadsDish Clothes & TowelsColanderMeasuring Cups (love the PC clear readable ones)CrockpotThe Cheater Staples (These are things I keep for my hubby to fix because they include directions or when my brain is fried and I only have 15 minutes to whip something up)Boxed Complete Meals*Mac N Cheese in a Box*Frozen Pizza*Fish Sticks/Chicken Nuggets*Frozen French Fries*I try to limit my usage of Cheater Staple Meals to once a week at very most. These type of meals usually come packed with sodium and preservatives and fat. Even though they taste good and are fast, nutrition wise they are able the same as going out to fast food. They are cheaper per serving than fast food which is a plus. But let's be honest there are just some days when we need to cheat a little to get through the day! I'm going to share with you my ways of avoiding what I refer to as "cheating" through The Thrifty Chick Cooks blog. Stay tuned to see how I use these must haves in the kitchen to create super simple and fast meals!